Benjamin Joseph Wu's Obituary
Benjamin Joseph Wu was born on February 2, 1974 in Saigon, Vietnam, to loving parents James and Huong Lien. The family endured the long tumultuous journey across the world and came to America in 1980. Ben went to school in Lakewood, WA and enjoyed playing sports like baseball, football and wrestling, often being named MVP or at least a star player.
After high school, Ben joined the army and was assigned to the 25-A unit as a Medic. He was stationed in Germany and served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. He told stories about taking supplies to the front lines, and saving different insects in their med cart, scaring his fellow medics when they'd open the drawers.
After doing his first four years in the army, Ben came home to Washington and put himself through the University of Washington. "Go Dawgs" He graduated with his Bachelor's in Mathematics. During this time, he met his wife and decided that he would rejoin the army. In August of 2001 Ben re-enlisted and was accepted into Officer Candidate School. He finished OCS in December, amidst the 9/11 catastrophe.
Ben was sent to a Field Artillery unit '6/32 FA Proud Americans' as the Signal Officer (S6) in Oklahoma for four years and then was sent to the Middle East to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). When he returned to the U.S. Ben furthered his training by attending the Signal Captain's Career Course in Fort Benning, GA.
From there, the family traveled again, this time moving to Fayetteville, NC. Captain Ben Wu was assigned to 44th MEDCOM as their S6. He served with them for four years until he was deployed once again to the Middle East. This time he went to help with Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan. When he returned to the states, he was assigned to a new unit FORSCOM, again as their S6 and it was time for the family to travel again, this time to our nation's capital Washington D.C. He reported to Fort Belvoir in August of 2012. In January o 2013, Ben was accepted in the National Defense University where he achieved his Master's degree in Political Science. Once he completed this endeavor (in 10 months instead of 18) it was time for the family to move on one last time. This time, retiring from the army, Ben returned to Washington State to settle in and enjoy his children.
Ben's pride and joy were his three children; Brianna Marie Wu (09/20/2002, Kelsey Noelle Wu (08/25/2004), and Benjamin Joseph Wu (Jamie) (04/22/2010).
Benjamin Joseph Wu succumbed to heart failure and died in his sleep on June 9th 2020 in his home. He will be sadly missed by his children, his brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews and his many brothers and sisters in arms.
Benjamin, May you rest in Peace. To thine own self be true!
What’s your fondest memory of Benjamin?
What’s a lesson you learned from Benjamin?
Share a story where Benjamin's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Benjamin you’ll never forget.
How did Benjamin make you smile?
