Binh N. Le (b.October 6, 1984-d.December 3, 2004)) was a Vietnamese-born United States Marine who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed in action in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

Biography

In 1988, he was adopted by his Aunt Hau Luu and Uncle Thanh, who left Vietnam by boat to escape Communism and immigrated to the United States. They settled in Virginia and he was also rasied by his other extended family, his Aunt Tuc-cuc Thi Tran and Uncle Luong La of Dale City.

In 2002, when he graduated from Fairfax's Edison High School, and afterwards, he played drums, keyboard, and trumpet in several bands. The best-known band he played in, Eyeris, had a loyal following at churches and coffeehouses in the Fairfax area.

After high school he joined the Marine Corps and served in Iraq with the 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, that was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.


Le rose to the rank of corporal. On December 3, 2004, during his second deployment to Iraq supporting Occupation of Iraq, 2003-2004, he was manning a checkpoint with Cpl. Matthew A. Wyatt in Al Anbar province. Both were killed by a improvised explosive device attached to a car.

On December 23, 2004, the United States Government officials intervened to ensure that Le's parents could come to the funeral, helping them secure visas and passports from the Vietnamese government so that they would be present for their son's burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

External Links

For an Immigrant Marine, Burial Close to Home

Sadly Fulfilling Marine's Dream

Arlington National Cemetary Official Website

Friends recall the energy of Cpl. Binh Le