QUEENS, NY, USA U.S. Army PFC, COMPANY D, 26TH BDE SPT BN, 3RD INFANTRY DIV, FORT STEWART, GA BAGHDAD, IRAQ 07/06/2007
In 2006, Trinidad-born Le Ron Adrian Wilson was the youngest soldier to enlist in the United States Army. One year later, at 18, he was the youngest to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad. His death sent virtually all of the state of New York into mourning, with every newspaper chronicling the life and death of the dedicated GI. Later, a street was named in honor of Le Ron, and condolences poured in. He was declared an American Hero, and was awarded the prestigious Purple Heart and Bronze Star. 145th Avenue New York now bears the name Private First Class Lance La Ron Adrian Wilson.
PFC Wilson’s father, Lawrence Wilson, a major in the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force, said his young son’s decision to join the war in Iraq was the ultimate sacrifice to make the world a better place.
Wilson, who is still visibly anguished by his son’s untimely death, said his son was passionate about everything he did and that was one of the reasons he excelled. He said on the day of Le Ron’s death, he had volunteered for the dangerous mission on a weeklong patrol in South Baghdad “a mission no one else wanted to volunteer for. “
Wilson said: “The military found a note in his pocket entrusted to a friend. He wrote about having a bad feeling about that particular mission. Those who were close to Le Ron knew that he was the type to never shun from his responsibilities. The thing about it is that Le Ron didn’t just give his life for America; he gave his life for the world; for all of us, for peace.
“My son always loved the military. His dream was to become a weapons specialist. He went to Iraq to fix guns and tanks. He was fascinated with weapons. For his 17th birthday, he didn’t want anything else but for his mother to sign his military enrollment forms. When he enlisted, he excelled and displayed camaraderie in everything he did. He was well respected, talked about and admired by all. In Iraq he became the scout for his squad. Wilson said of his son.
“Le Ron wanted to do something significant with is life. He wanted a career in the military and he was rising to the top at a very fast rate. He was a team player, and he became an expert at everything he did. He loved adventure, he loved a challenge and the army provided the perfect channel for him. He wanted to make a difference. “
Wilson said. “It is a great honor to see a city street in New York, bearing my son’s name and even after two years, the letters of appreciation and honors still pour in.”
In memory of PFC Wilson, the primary school he attended in Trinidad, Rosary Boys RC, have named their library in his honor. Le Ron’s family has pledged to furnish the library with books. Le Ron’s high school also honored the fallen soldier with scholarships in his name to outstanding students.