Wong, Elijah Tai Wah

State: AZ

Units: 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD)

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SGT ELIJAH TAI WAH WONG August 10, 1961 – February 9, 2004 Operation Iraqi Freedom Elijah Tai Wah Wong was born on August 10, 1961 in New York, NY and received an Associates degree from Touro College in New York. He served in the Active Air Force from 25 October 1984 to 21 September 1987, the New York Air National Guard from 29 September 1987 to 5 December 1989, and then with the US Air Force Reserves in Phoenix from 20 May 1999 to 10 January 2000. He and his wife, Lizdeth, had 3 children, Aisha, Tonatiuh, and Shai. He enlisted in the Arizona Army National Guard on 11 January 2000, and subsequently joined the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD) on 30 April 2001. By the time he completed the 12 month EOD Specialist Course on 17 July 2003 and was awarded his EOD Badge, the unit had already been mobilized for service at Fort Irwin, CA and then sent forward to Iraq. SGT Wong was mobilized as an individual on 20 November 2003 and had to fight hard to catch up to the unit in theater upon completion of all the pre-mobilization training required. SGT Elijah T. W. Wong was killed in action on 9 February 2004 when a collection of unexploded ordnance, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortar rounds detonated while being moved to a demolition point in the vicinity of Sinjar, Iraq. He was promoted posthumously from Specialist to Sergeant effective 9 February 2004. SGT Wong’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Awd), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, USAF Training Ribbon, AF Overseas Service Ribbon, Arizona Distinguished Service Medal, Arizona Community Service Ribbon, Arizona Service Ribbon, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge and Rifle M16 Marksman Qualification Badge.