Senior Airman William N. Newman, 23, became a casualty of Operation Iraqi Freedom on June 7, 2007. William joined the Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician. He knew it was a job that would require great skill and technique, but his training for this job taught him how to be the best he could be at disarming bombs. In the event of not being able to use robotic equipment to disarm bombs, they were trained how to perform this function with the least amount of risk to themselves and others.

He left his hometown of Kingston Springs, Tennessee for Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii and was stationed there until his departure to Iraq. William was looking forward to being able to use his training in Iraq to help save the lives of soldiers.

It was on his 200th EOD mission of disarming bombs that took William’s life. On this day the robotic device typically used for disarming bombs could not be used. The EOD team performed all the steps to disarm the bomb and then remove it from the premises so it could not be used for another roadside bomb. William was directly positioned over the bomb while in the process of removing the pieces when it unexpectedly detonated. His body absorbed the impact of the bomb and the other Air Force EOD’s lives were spared.

William was a kind, caring and thoughtful young man and respected by his family and his peers. The EOD facility located on Hickam Air Force Base was dedicated and named in his honor one year after his death.

Submitted by Angela Newman, Proud Step-Mother of Sr. Airman William N. Newman