James Anthony Ayube II was born on April 29, 1985, in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Greene County, Ohio. He was the son of James and Christina Ayube. He was married to Lauren Ayube. He graduated from Salem High School and Bunker Hill Community College. He held the rank of Sergeant and served as a Combat Medic with H Company, 3d Squadron, 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, stationed in Vilseck, Germany, and was later deployed to Afghanistan.

Sgt Ayube was killed in action on December 8, 2010, when a suicide bomber attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device in Balkh, Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom. He is now buried in the Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA. In honor of his sacrifice, the Salem City Council unanimously voted to petition the state legislature to rename Veterans Riverway as Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive, a tribute to his service and lasting legacy. The initiative was supported by city leaders and endorsed by his family.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, memorial.2dcavalryassociation.com, thefallen.militarytimes.com