Marine Lance Cpl. William J. Wiscowiche

Died March 30, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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20, of Victorville, Calif.; assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died March 30 due to enemy action in Anbar province, Iraq.

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To family and friends, Lance Cpl. William J. Wiscowiche was all about life, fun and energy, not to mention his exuberance and affectionate nature. "He couldn't just say hello," said family friend Theresa Kay. “He had to give you a big hug." His mother, Patricia, remembered the teen with his radio blasting who would jump out onto the driveway to dance to his current favorite song "singing along, and he couldn't sing a lick," she said, laughing and crying at the same time. Wiscowiche, 20, of Victorville, Calif., died March 30 when his vehicle drove over an explosive device in Iraq. He joined the Marines in August 2001 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Wischowiche had been married to his high school sweetheart, Veronica, for a month before being sent back to Iraq. Their daughter, Arrianna, was born during his first tour in Iraq. Wiscowiche had been a football running back in high school. "He had a lot of heart and a lot of character. It was always 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' with Willie," said Leland Eudy, one of his football coaches. "He had a lot of heart, and gave football the same kind of dedication and commitment that he gave to serving his country." Other survivors include his father, Joseph.

— Associated Press