SrA Newman

Senior Airman William Newman dons his protective equipment prior to a mission April 3 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Airman Newman was deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii and was killed June 7 from an improvised explosive device. In background are Staff Sgt. Charles Warner and Staff Sgt. Tom Pilla, both deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Newman was assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight with Airmen Warner and Pilla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nathan Doza)

Hickam Airman killed in Iraq

Published June 11, 2007
By 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- The Department of Defense announced June 7 the death of a Hickam Airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Senior Airman William N. Newman, 23, of Kingston Springs, Tenn., died June 7 south of Balad while attempting to disarm an Improvised Explosive Device when it detonated.

He was assigned to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team of the 15th Civil Engineer Squadron here.

"Senior Airman Will Newman is a hero. He died while defusing a terrorist IED, off base, in an area where Iraqi women & children's lives were in danger," said Lt. Col. Dave Maharrey, 15th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "While his life was lost, his heroism reminds us what it means to be an Airman."