In Memory OfLCpl Nicholas W.B. Bloem

LCpl Nicholas W.B. Bloem, 20, U.S.M.C., born in Washington August 2, 1985, was killed in action on August 3, 2005. Bloem served as a Rifleman with 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While conducting a mission to eliminate Al-Qaeda forces and destroy their weapon caches in Barwanah, an IED was remotely detonated beneath his Amphibious Assault Vehicle. Bloem and 14 of his brothers-in-arms did not survive the blast. For his service, he earned a Purple Heart. Semper Fi, Marine! Til Valhalla, Brother!