Face of Defense: Fallen Sailor Oversaw Iraq Reconstruction

American Forces Press Service

May 29, 2009 - He spent his deployment helping to rebuild Iraq, but a Navy Reserve officer who served as chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division's office in Iraq's Anbar province fell victim to a roadside bomb this week. Navy Cmdr. Duane G. Wolfe and two other servicemembers were killed, and two others were injured in the May 25 attack near Fallujah.

Wolfe was from Los Osos, Calif. His home Navy Reserve unit is Navy Operational Support Center, Port Hueneme, Calif. He worked at Vandenberg Air Force Base as the civilian deputy commander of the 30th Space Wing Mission Support Group.

Wolfe served in the Navy Reserve from 1978 until his death.

"Commander Wolfe was an outstanding warrior, patriot, loving husband, and father of three," said Army Maj. Gen. Michael Eyre, commander of the Gulf Region Division. "Monday's attack has been a devastating loss, and the entire GRD team is deeply saddened by this tragedy. We honor Commander Wolfe's life and service to our country, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are also with all of those impacted by this attack, the families of the two others killed and the two who were wounded."

As the officer in charge of the Gulf Region Central district's Anbar Area Office, Wolfe was responsible for 59 personnel, including military members, government civilians and Iraqis who work at the area office and three geographically dispersed subordinate resident offices. His staff is responsible for overseeing nearly $300 million in planned and ongoing construction projects, many of which are providing essential services to the Iraqi people.

The projects include the first waste-water treatment facility for Fallujah, a location command for the Iraqi army, a judicial complex and a 132-kilovolt substation in Ramadi.

Wolfe will posthumously receive the Bronze Star with "V" device for valor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal with service star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device for mobilization, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

(From a Gulf Region Division news release.)