Another Samoan Son Dies in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Washington D.C. (November 9, 2007) — The Department of Defense announced on Nov. 8 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Lui Tumanuvao, 29, of Fagaalu, American Samoa, died Nov. 7 in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he was struck by an improvised explosive device during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Sgt. Lui Tumanuvao is the son of Kelekolio and Monica Tumanuvao of Iliili, Tutuila in American Samoa.
“It’s a very sad day for us,” said his father in an interview with Pacific Magazine. “My son was a very quiet and kind person.”

Sgt. Tumanuvao was a 1994 graduate of Marist Brothers High School. He went on to study at American Samoa Community College (ASCC) and had worked at the Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Kelekolio Tumanuvao said his son was a local Army reservist with the Bravo and Charlie companies, who were deployed to Iraq in late 2004 and returned to American Samoa in January 2006.

During their Iraq deployment the Bravo and Charlie companies were part of the Hawaii-based 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry.

Sgt. Tumanuvao decided to become part of the active duty Army in May 2006 and left American Samoa for Ft. Stewart, Georgia in July last year. He was deployed to Iraq in May this year.

Sgt. Tumanuvao is survived by his wife Selia and their two young children; his parents Kelekolio and Monica; and siblings.

Sgt. Tumanuvao is the 17th American Samoan (see all) to die in the War on Terror.  The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs remembers and honors the brave sons and daughters of the insular areas who offer up the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror.  The Office of Insular Affairs also recognizes that hundreds of sons and daughters of the Insular Areas currently serve in the War on Terror in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.