SGT ELIJAH TAI WAH WONG

Elijah T. W. Wong was born in New York, NY and received an Associates degree from Touro College. From 1984 to 2000, he served in the Active Air Force, the New York Air National Guard, and the US Air Force Reserves in Phoenix. He and his wife, Lizdeth, had three children, Aisha, Tonatiuh, and Shai.

He joined the Arizona Army National Guard on 11 January 2000, and transferred to the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment (EOD) on 30 April 2001. After completing the EOD Specialist Course, SGT Wong was mobilized on 20 November 2003, completed pre-mob training, and joined the 363rd EOD who had already deployed to Iraq.

SGT Elijah T. W. Wong was killed in action when a collection of unexploded ordnance detonated while being moved to a demolition point in the vicinity of Sinjar, Iraq. He was promoted posthumously from Specialist to Sergeant effective 9 February 2004.

SGT Wong’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd Awd), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, AF Overseas Service Ribbon, AZ Distinguished Service Medal and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.