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CPL Glenn J. Watkins

Died of wounds April 5th 2005

CAMP MURRAY, WA - The Washington National Guard regrets to announce the death of one of its members serving on federal active duty in Iraq.

Corporal Glenn James Watkins, 42, died on April 5th, when he succumbed to wounds he received when a vehicle-based improvised explosive device (VBIED) exploded alongside the HMMWV in which he was riding.

CPL Watkins was one of more than seventy Washington Army National Guardsmen that volunteered to remain in Iraq when the rest of the 81st Brigade returned to Washington during March and early April of this year.

CPL Watkins had a long military career which began in the Navy in August of 1981. He served on active duty with the Navy for four years. Then after a brief tour with the US Navy Reserve, he returned to active duty, this time with the Army, serving three years from June of 1986 to June of 1989.

Following his active service CPL Watkins joined the Washington Army National Guard and served with Company C, 1-303rd Armor headquartered in Port Orchard WA for two years. He relocated to California and in June of 1998 he joined the California Army National Guard, serving with Company A, 184th Infantry (Assault) headquartered in Compton CA until November of 2003. CPL Watkins returned to Washington and rejoined the 81st Brigade, this time serving with Company B, 1-161st Infantry, headquartered in Kent WA.

CPL Watkins mobilized with the 81st Brigade Combat Team in November of 2003, and served in Iraq with them until they redeployed in late March and early April of 2005.

CPL Watkins volunteered to remain in Iraq and serve with his old unit - the 184th Infantry of the California Army National Guard - which had been mobilized as part of the 29th Infantry Brigade of the Hawaiian Army National Guard. He was assigned to that unit at the time of his death.

CPL Watkins was born in Idaho Falls, ID on March 4th, 1963. He worked as a construction worker and a carpenter by trade. He is survived by his wife who resides in Tacoma WA, his four children, three of whom live with his wife, and a son in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, his mother who resides in Silverdale WA, his father who resides in Elk Grove CA, his brother who resides in Baltimore MD, and his sister who resides in Port Orchard WA.