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- Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Wilson, 25, of Newark Valley, N.Y., died Feb. 12 as a result of an improvised explosive device in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three, based in San Diego, Calif. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 21 January 1998 under the Delayed Entry Program and upon his graduation from Newark Valley High School in June, he reported for recruit training in August of that year. After graduating from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes on 20 October 1998, Nick completed Aviation Electronic Technician "A" school at NATTC Pensacola. Transferring to naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, 29 July 1999 he began the training required to become a US Navy EOD Diver. He completed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diving Course and Navy School Explosive Ordnance Disposal where he earned his "Crab" with class 00-040. From there he reported to EOD Mobile Unit THREE on 05 July 2001. Immediately upon checking in, Nick was assigned to Detachment ONE as the Det's Tactical Communicator. Quickly becoming a Helicopter Rope Suspension Master as well as graduating from Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) and Basic Airborne Courses, he deployed with the USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group in 2002. Upon returning, he earned his Senior EOD qualification, changed his rate to Aviation Ordnanceman and joined Detachment FIVE SEVEN as an EOD Team Leader supporting Naval Special Warfare Squadron SEVEN Foxtrot Platoon. Deploying with NSWRON-7 for Operation Iraqi Freedom October 2003 to April 2004, Nick supported numerous direct action and VIP security missions. Assigned to Detachment NINE following his second deployment, Nick completed Military Free Fall School and was again designated an EOD Team Leader during his Det's deployment with II Marine Expeditionary Force in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, where he had personally rendered safe 170 Improvised Explosive Devices and supported 335 combat missions. During his service, Nick's awards include the Bronze Star (with Combat 'V'), Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Navy Battle "E" Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War On Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terror Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3 awards), Expert Pistol and Expert Rifle Medal. Besides playing golf and riding his Harley, Nick adored his wife, Linda, whom he married while in the midst of EOD training on the 26th of February 2000. Behind his ever-present shades he was truly the quiet professional. The most challenging tasks he quickly mastered and he earned the admiration of all of us who worked with him. He could have been anything he wanted to be, but he loved being with his fellow EOD Techs. Nick is survived by his wife, Linda; his parents, Robert and Rachel (Tarbox) Wilson, Newark Valley; his brothers, Michael Wilson, Ga., Brian (Brandi) Wilson, Johnson City; and sister, Amber Wilson, Newark Valley. Also surviving are his grandparents, Seth and Joyce Tarbox, Newark Valley, Barbara Wilson, Mass.; two nephews, Luke Wilson and Tanner Wilson; niece, Kennedy Wilson; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.
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1980 - 2006 (25 years)