Fallen 21 STS Airman receives master's degree posthumously Published June 19, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Jon LaDue 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson, 21st Special Tactics Squadron, was killed in action March 22 in Afghanistan while supportting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Jefferson died from wounds he suffered after an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. His fellow classmates and teachers at Webster University payed tribute to his service and gave back to him. Although Sergeant Jefferson still needed three credit hours to graduate and never received the opportunity to take his last remaining class, on June 12 Webster University awarded him a Master's Degree in Business Administration posthumously at the Ritz-Epps Fitness Center on Fort Bragg during the combined graduation ceremony. Hubert Gibson, Webster University director of education, said after reading in the newspaper that Sergeant Jefferson was killed in action they decided to do a review of his military training. This is customary for students who apply for graduation. They were easily able to substantiate the requirements he needed to fill his last remaining elective, Mr. Gibson said. "The least we could do was reward him for all his dedication," said Mr. Gibson, "it was basically rewarding him and his family for all the sacrifices he made." The decision to award the degree was very much appreciated, especially by those who it meant the most to. "It means a lot to know that he was so close and they felt it was the right thing to do," said Kristy Jefferson, wife of Sergeant Jefferson. His mother, Linda Jefferson, added "I was really pleased. There were things in his life he would be proud of and this is one of them." Kristy said when the time came for her husband to exit the military, he was very interested in owning his own business. "In his career field he gained a lot of skills he could use. His degrees would've taken him above and beyond that," Kristy added. She said her husband was very analytical and conscientious about his school work ...after a long project he would be most proud of the effort it took to complete it. She said that although he put his whole self into whatever he was doing, he always did it with a positive attitude. "He approached everything in life, school or anything, with a sense of humor. He could bring a smile to anyone," said Kristy. Sergeant Jefferson loved the military and loved what it provided him and his family, Kristy said. With his career drawing to an end, he was more focused than ever on the future of his family . "He was really working hard at getting his education ... for his family and something he could be proud of outside of the military," Kristy added. According to Linda, her son knew from very early in his career that he wanted to pursue his education. "He joined the Marines to build muscle and the Air Force to build his brains," said Linda. "That's one of the main reasons he joined the Air Force 12 years ago."