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SGT BYRON WAYNE NORWOOD

  • Branch: Marines
  • Hometown/City: PFLUGERVILLE, TX
  • Date of Birth: 08-11-1979
  • Date of Death: 11-13-2004
  • Conflict: Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Unit: WPNS CO, 3D BN, 1ST MAR, 1ST MAR DIV
  • Port/Base: Camp Pendleton, CA

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  • Sgt Byron Wayne Norwood, USMC, was 25 years old when he was killed in action in Fallujah, Iraq on Saturday, November 13, 2004.

    Sgt Norwood was serving as a squad leader with the Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (3/1), and was in his second deployment to Iraq. He had also deployed by sea in late 2002 as a member of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) which operated from the USS Belleau Wood in the Middle East. The battalion was one of the spearhead units for the assault on Fallujah and had entered the city from the Northwest on Day 1. They captured the train station and university on schedule before moving south to be involved in difficult house-to-house fighting by the end of the first week.

    After a multi-stage firefight inside a house containing numerous barricaded foreign terrorists, seven Marines were wounded, trapped, and required timely extraction. Byron was part of a rescue effort which entered the house to determine friendly and enemy positions so CAAT Platoon, Weapons Co. vehicles outside could fire through the walls to destroy the terrorists.

    According to the Marine Corps report, "Immediately after he entered the house and cleared the first room, an insurgent engaged Marines located in a second room. In an attempt to defend his fellow Marines, he immediately returned fire at the enemy, but was fatally wounded by another insurgent who was firing from the roof. All seven of the wounded Marines were evacuated and survived their injuries. His family believes that Byron would consider his last mission successful, since those seven brother Marines were able to return to their families.

    Byron had told his family that he made the decision to "place my life in God's hands so that I can concentrate on being the best Marine I can be." Byron fiercely loved his family and friends, his country, and his fellow Marines. He told his mother, "I'm doing what I have to do now, Mom. It's my turn to protect you." He was already preparing to return to college and for the next phase of his life after proudly giving more than six years to the Corps.

    Byron was born August 11, 1979 in Austin. He graduated in 1998 from Pflugerville High School, where he was active in the marching band, jazz band, sports and drama. Upon the death of the band's director in Byron's senior year, he was selected to play taps at the memorial service.

    After graduation, Byron joined the Marines and was sent to MCRD San Diego in the summer of 1998 for basic training. He served in the reserves in Austin in 1999 and 2000 as well as attending college and, in late 2000, he served as a recruiter's assistant. During this time, he was promoted to Corporal.

    Two months before the September 11, 2001 attacks on America, Byron went on active duty with the Weapons Company of the Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment. A month after returning from the 11th MEU deployment, in January 2003, his unit shipped out by sea for Iraq, where he fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and returned home in June 2003.

    After a year of further training at Camp Pendleton, he was deployed to Iraq a second time on June 19 of 2004 and was promoted to Sergeant July 1st.

    Sgt Norwood's personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation with combat "V" for Valor, Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon as well as a number of unit and other service awards. He qualified as Expert with both rifle and pistol.

    Byron was honored by President Bush during the 2005 State of the Union Address as "representing America's military and their families". A Bill (HR 1001) passed by Congress on July 21, 2005 changed the name of the Post Office in his hometown of Pflugerville to the Sergeant Byron W. Norwood Post Office.

    Byron is the son of Bill and Janet Aston Norwood of Pflugerville, TX and is survived by his two brothers, Grant and Colin Norwood and sister-in-law Jennifer; two sisters, Kristen Hullum and brother-in-law David Hullum and Grayson Norwood and brother-in-law GySgt Christopher Lopez, USMC. Both of Byron's grandfathers - Jake W. Aston and John A. Norwood - served combat tours with Marine Corps units during World War II.

    Janet Norwood, Mother