NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 1182-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November17, 2004
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.
November 18, 2004
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.
Monday, December 6, 2004
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.
WULLENWABER, LUKE C
- 1 LT US ARMY
- VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 12/14/1999 – 11/14/2004
- DATE OF BIRTH: 12/14/1979
- DATE OF DEATH: 11/16/2004
- DATE OF INTERMENT: 12/07/2004
- BURIED AT: SECTION 60 SITE 8081
- ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard