Number of Fort Lewis dead in Iraq nears 100

FORT LEWIS, Wash. – The total number of Fort Lewis soldiers to die in Iraq moved closer to 100 Monday with the announcement that two Stryker brigade soldiers had been killed in the country.

Cpl. Wade J. Oglesby, 27, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Cpl. Michael M. Rojas, 21, of Fresno, Calif., died last Wednesday in Taji when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations, the Department of Defense announced.

The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from this post south of Tacoma. It was their first deployment with their unit, Fort Lewis officials said Monday afternoon.

The 3rd Brigade left last June for a second tour of duty in Iraq. It was originally scheduled for a yearlong deployment, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates earlier this month announced that missions for all active-duty Army units in Iraq would be lengthened to 15 months.

As of Monday, 97 military personnel from Fort Lewis have died since the Iraq war began in March 2003.

Rojas joined the Army in July 2004, training at Fort Sill, Okla., as a cannon crewmember, then reporting to Fort Lewis in November 2004.

As a sophomore, Oglesby dropped out of Grand Junction High School. Though he later earned his GED, he delayed his education and career to look after his family.

After his mother, Linda, died in September 2003 of heart failure, Oglesby moved in with Gary Decocq – whom Oglesby called his father – and Sheila Decocq.

“He was one of the most unbelievably nurturing men I’d ever met,” Sheila Decocq said. “I don’t think he ever once thought, ‘Well gee, I don’t get to do this, or I don’t get to do that.’ “

Oglesby entered the service in August 2004, along with a stepbrother, Chris Walker.

“He wanted to make a difference,” Gary Decocq said. “He wanted to get an education, and he had nothing going on here.”

Oglesby trained as a cannon crewmember at Fort Sill, and reported to Fort Lewis in December 2004.

His brother and sister released a statement Monday, saying their brother enjoyed the Army, “knowing he’d found his true calling in life.”

“Wade was always willing to sacrifice his own life for others and he looked at his fellow soldiers in Iraq as a unit willing to give their lives for their beliefs right along with him,” Richard and Samantha Oglesby said.

A memorial ceremony is planned for today at Fort Lewis’ Main Post Chapel.