Spc. Paul T. Nakamura KIA June 19, 2003
From the Associated Press
SoCal soldier killed in Iraq by rocket-propelled grenade
3:32 a.m., June 22, 2003
SANTA FE SPRINGS - Spc. Paul T. Nakamura, who was killed Thursday in Iraq, was remembered by his family as a rascal, full of laughter and passionate about swimming.
The 21-year-old Nakamura joined the Army Reserves out of patriotism despite his father's protests, friends and family said Saturday, at a memorial service held at the home of his parents.
"One day he said, 'Mom, Dad, I'm so proud I was born in the United States," his mother, Yoko, 55, told those gathered.
Yoko Nakamura, left, reaches for a photograph of her son as her daughter, Miki Stensel-Morales, sits next to her.
Nakamura was stationed with the 437th Medical Company, based in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was sent to the Middle East in February and was killed when the ambulance he was in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Al Iskandariyah, officials said.
Nakamura's father spoke of his son's risk-taking nature. He recalled one incident when his son and a few friends were riding bikes down a steep hill. Nakamura was the only boy not to hit the breaks.
"He pedaled on the hill, and he met a tree," said Paul Nakamura, 60.
"He was a rascal - you would tell him not to do something, and he would do it anyway," said his sister, Pearl Nakamura, 23.
Nakamura was a lifeguard and had taught swimming at the Santa Fe Springs Aquatic Center since he was 17 and belonged to the high school water polo team, his sister said.
Before he left, "we had a party almost every night because we didn't know when he was leaving," she said.
The family spoke with Nakamura for the last time on Father's Day.
"The first thing he told me was that he had showered and had steak for dinner - we know he was lying," his father said, adding, "He didn't want us to worry."
A letter from Spc. Paul T. Nakamura to students at Lake Center Middle School Dated: April 28, 2003
Dear Mrs. Classford and students,
Sorry it took so long for me to write. I'm at a camp near Iraq and there is no postal service. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to write. The troops are very touched and thankful for the support from the your class. Here is some information about our unit.
We are the 437th Ground Ambulance Medical Company. Our mission as of March 1. 2003 is to provide ground evacuation for medical patients in Kuwait and Southern Iraq. If there are any medical emergencies, we get dispatched. We all have training to (help) sustain life and provide a paramedic level of care.
If you have any questions, please email me. Thank you for writing and for all your support.
-Spc. Nakamura