Justin B. Onwordi

Died: August 2, 2004

Rank: Specialist

Unit: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division

Branch: U.S. Army

Specialist Justin B. Onwordi, an Army medical specialist attached to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, gave his life for his beloved adopted country on August 2, 2004, when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the vehicle in which he was patrolling in Baghdad, Iraq. He had served as a combat medic in Iraq since January 2004, providing lifesaving care to wounded Soldiers and patrolling the dan­gerous byways of Baghdad. Justin was buried on August 19, 2004, with full military honors, at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh, North Carolina. The funeral had been delayed so that family members from Nigeria could travel to attend the ceremony.