Officials identify Fort Lewis soldier who was killed in bomb attack

TACOMA – A Fort Lewis soldier fatally wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq has been identified by the Department of Defense as Pfc. Oscar Sanchez of Modesto, Calif.

Sanchez, 19, was part of a Stryker unit from Fort Lewis that replaced the first Stryker brigade to serve in Iraq, the News Tribune reported Saturday.

Sanchez was at an observation outpost in Mosul on Wednesday when insurgents launched a two-stage attack, said Dick Devlin, public information officer at Fort Lewis.

Of 15 injured soldiers, Sanchez was among nine who were rushed to treatment at an Army hospital at Mosul Airfield. He died the same day.

Sanchez entered active duty in October 2003.

Sanchez was a decorated hero. He had earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Posthumously, he was awarded the Bronze Star, which is given for valor or service; the Purple Heart; and the Good Conduct Medal, Devlin said.