HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - Family, friends and fellow service members pay respect during a dedication ceremony in memory of Senior Airman William “Will” Newman at the 15th Civil Engineering Squadron Explosive Ordnance Facility. The tribute was in honor of Newman for giving his life to protect the people of Iraq and the lives of the Soldiers and Airmen operating with him on his last mission June 7, 2007. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Robert Burgess)

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HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - Senior Airman Newman’s wife, Soyong, and his father, Matt Newman, unveiled the plaque dedicated in memory of Will at the 15th Civil Engineering Squadron Explosive Ordnance Facility June 7, 2008. Airman Newman was assigned to a three-man team clearing improvised explosives devices when he lost his life on June 7, 2007. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Robert Burgess)

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HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - 1st Lt. Edward Porter, 15th Civil Engineering Squadron, addresses family, friends and fellow service members during the dedication ceremony for Senior Airman William “Will” Newman on June 7, 2008. The SrA William “Will” Newman facility is a constant reminder for those who pass by the facility everyday of one of the most demanding and dangerous military occupations. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Robert Burgess)

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EOD facility named in honor of fallen member

Published June 11, 2008
By Master Sgt. Robert Burgess
15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hi. -- In the presence of family, friends, and other military servicemembers, the 15th Civil Engineering Explosive Ordnance Disposal facility was dedicated here today in memory of one of their very own.

SrA William "Will" Newman was 23 and on his 98th combat mission when a projectile he was recovering detonated during a clearing operation near the village of Mishan, Iraq detonated, mortally wounding him on June 7, 2007.

"Will is a hero to all of us, not just for his sacrifice, but also for the lives he saved, performing explosive ordinance disposal at home and abroad," said Col. David Maharrey Jr, 15th Civil Engineer Squadron, commander during his remarks at the dedication ceremony. "His service in the Air Force demonstrated the pride, professionalism and performance that we all strive for."

A friend since technical school, Senior Airman Michael Perkins 15th CES, EOD flight was deployed to a forward operation base near Will, and said, "we were due to rotate back in a couple of weeks when I got the news."

Airman Perkins was in his bunk when the team chief walked into the three-man room and said Will's name. "I didn't hear him say his name at first, then it dawned on me ... it was a shock, he said."

Even today Airman Perkins said he can't believe it actually happened.

Having been assigned to Balad AB, Iraq together for the first three months of his six month deployment together, Airman Perkins said he remembers the good times. "You never know what is going to happen on a mission, you do your best to be ready."

Two days prior to his death, Airman Newman's team took direct small arms fire from anti-Iraqi forces. The complexity of the situation was compounded by the location of the explosive devices near innocent Iraqi children and their homes.

After the initiating components were removed from the devices, Airman Newman proceeded to recover the remaining projectiles in order to detonate them in a controlled environment later and protect the local populace.

Airman Newman's wife Soyong, 22 said, I'm so proud ... I'm sure there were a lot children around, I know he wanted to protect them."