DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

First Lieutenant Luke C. Wullenwaber, 24, of Lewiston, Idaho, died November 16, 2004, in Khaladiyah, Iraq, when he was conducting a security mission and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.  Wullenwaber was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves, Korea.

For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.

Lewiston Soldier Killed In Iraq
By Fisher News

Army First Lieutenant Luke C. Wullenwaber was killed in action in Iraq on Tuesday. He was 24.

According to the Department of Defense, Wullenwaber, 24 died in Khaladiyah, Iraq, when he was conducting a security mission and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.

Wullenwaber was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves, Korea.

Wullenwaber grew up in Lewiston and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1999. He is survived by his parents, Dean and Bonnie Wullenwaber of Lewiston. His brother, Jesse D. Wullenwaber, is a cadet at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where Wullenwaber graduated from in 2002,

After graduating from VMI, he attended Ranger School and Airborne School before serving a tour in Korea.

While a cadet at VMI, Lieutenant Wullenwaber was a member of the Rat Disciplinary Committee and served as guidon bearer for Echo Company. He was one of the few Army ROTC cadets selected to undergo and successfully pass the rigorous Underwater Operations (SCUBA) course. He graduated with distinction and was a Distinguished Military Graduate.

Idaho governor orders Capitol flag flown at half-staff in honor of fallen Lewiston soldier

BOISE, IDAHO – Gov. Dirk Kempthorne has ordered flags at the State Capitol and other state buildings and facilities be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, December 7, 2004, in memory of First Lieutenant Luke C. Wullenwaber of Lewiston.

 Army First Lieutenant Luke Wullenwaber died from wounds suffered in a car bomb blast in Iraq on November 16, 2004.

Lieutenant Wullenwaber was killed in action in Khaladiyah, Iraq on November 16. He will be laid to rest Tuesday with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

“Lieutenant Wullenwaber was an outstanding young man, who truly believed in his mission and was a dedicated soldier,” Kempthorne said. “From participating in the Young Marines in junior high school to graduating from Virginia Military Institute, Luke wanted to serve his country. He was a great son, a loving brother and a dear friend who will be missed. I ask all Idahoans to join Patricia and me in saying a prayer for Luke and his family.”

Wullenwaber was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Greaves, Korea.

The family is planning a memorial service in Lewiston at a later date.

Flags will also be flown at half-staff on December 7 in recognition of the Presidential proclamation of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Webmaster: Michael Robert Patterson

 Photo Courtesy of Holly, August 2005