Wertish, James David
Male
Verified U.S. Army Specialist James David Wertish, 20, of Olivia, Minnesota, died on July 16, 2009, in Basrah, Iraq, while serving with the 34th Military Police Company.
Their Story
James David Wertish was a 20-year-old soldier from Olivia, Minnesota. He served as a Specialist with the 34th Military Police Company, a Minnesota Army National Guard unit based in Stillwater.
On July 16, 2009, Wertish was killed in Basrah, in southern Iraq. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he died of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device that detonated near his vehicle.
Wertish's death occurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a conflict that began with a U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. By mid-2009, U.S. combat operations were winding down ahead of a scheduled withdrawal, but attacks against remaining forces continued, particularly in northern and central Iraq.
His body was returned to Minnesota, where a funeral was held in his hometown of Olivia. The Minnesota National Guard confirmed his death was the first for the 34th Military Police Company during its deployment.
Wertish is remembered on a memorial in Olivia and is listed on the Minnesota Iraq War Memorial at the State Capitol. His name is among the 4,418 American service members who died during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Explore Further
James Wertish was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2010). The conflict concluded in August 2010. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Kennedy, Brian Matthew, Beaupre, Ryan Anthony, Gutierrez, Jose, Waters-bey, Kendall Damon.
