The death of an Oklahoma Marine in Iraq brings to 19 the known number of Oklahomans who have been killed in the war on terrorism.

The most recent fatality was Pvt. Nachez Washalanta II, one of four Marines killed Saturday when a bomb destroyed a vehicle in a convoy patrolling near Mosul, Iraq.

Washalanta, 21, had attended schools in Ardmore and Silo, a community northwest of Durant.

The Defense Department listed his hometown as Bryan, Okla.

Washalanta's mother, Carol Caldwell of Ardmore, wants to hold a memorial for him when his body is returned, KXII TV, Sherman, Texas, reported.

Ron Slawson, principal of Silo High School, said Washalanta had expressed an early interest in serving in the military.

He was described by others as a quiet student who went by the nickname of "Chez" and was interested in agriculture.

He left the school about 2000, Slawson said.

"As far as being a hero," Slawson said, "I think any young person that goes and fights for freedom is a hero. This one hits a little closer to home."

Washalanta had foster parents while attending school at Silo, the principal said.

The following is the latest list of Oklahomans who have died in the war on terror.

Marine Pvt. Nachez Washalanta.

Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph L. Nice, 19, of Nicoma Park, was killed Aug. 4 in Anbar province, Iraq, because of enemy action.

Army Spc. Sonny Gene Sampler, 23, of Oklahoma City, died July 8 when a military headquarters in Samarra, Iraq, was attacked with a car bomb and mortar shells.

Oklahoma Army National Guard Spc. Kyle Showler-Brinlee, 21, of Pryor, was killed May 11 near Alasad, Iraq, when an explosive blew up a vehicle in which he was a passenger.

Army Spc. James E. Marshall, 19, of Tulsa, was killed May 5 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. Eric H. Petty, 28, of Fort Gibson, died May 3 of small arms fire while providing security at a weapons cache in Salman Al Habb, Iraq.

Marine Cpl. Scott M. Vincent, 23, of Bokoshe, was killd April 30 in hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Lawrence Colton, 32, of Oklahoma City, died April 11 when his helicopter was shot down near Baghdad, Iraq.

Fern Holland, 33, who grew up in northeastern Oklahoma, was killed March 9 with two other civilians in an ambush south of Baghdad.

Army Sgt. Kyle Seitsinger, 29, of Oklahoma City, died Jan. 29, when mortar rounds and rifle ammunition exploded in Afghanistan, about 90 miles southeast of Kabul, Iraq.

Army 2nd Lt. Luke S. James, 24, of Hooker, was killed Jan. 27 when a bomb exploded near Iskandariyah, Iraq.

Army Sgt. Ross A. Pennanen, 36, of Shawnee, was among six soldiers killed Nov. 2 when their helicopter was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq.

Army Pvt. Jason M. Ward, 25, of Broken Arrow, died Oct. 22 in Baghdad of noncombat related causes.

Army Spc. Stephen Michael Scott, 21, of Lawton, died Aug. 23, 2003, near Fallujah, Iraq, of a gunshot wound.

Army Pfc. Daniel Parker, 18, who was raised in Oklahoma City, was killed Aug. 13, 2003, in Mosul, Iraq, after being thrown from a vehicle when the driver swerved to avoid hitting a civilian vehicle.

Army Spc. Jonathan Paul Barnes, 21, of Coweta, died July 26, 2003, in a grenade attack in Baqouba, Iraq.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Doyle W. Bollinger Jr. 21, of Poteau, was killed June 6, 2003, when a piece of unexploded ammunition went off where he was working near the Tigris River in Iraq.

Marine Staff Sgt. Aaron Dean White, 27, of Shawnee, died May 19, 2003, when the helicopter in which he was riding crashed into the Shat Al-Hillah canal in Iraq.

Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Blair, 24, of Broken Arrow, was killed March 24, 2003, when his regiment took control of a bridge on the northern edge of Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Rob Martindale 581-8367
rob.martindaletulsaworld.com

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