FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - The 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division honored one of its fallen April 9 with the dedication of a conference room to the memory of 1st Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Hoe was serving with Company C, 3-21st in 2005 when he was killed by a sniper while on patrol in Mosul, Iraq.
Allen Hoe, 1st Lt. Hoe’s father, traveled from Hawaii to attend and speak at the dedication.
“This is somewhat overwhelming,” Mr. Hoe, who served in Vietnam, said. “Our family is deeply honored as well as thrilled that my son’s memory will continue to inspire young men and women.”
“I am incredibly moved to be in the presence of soldiers,” he said. “It is beyond words the honor you have bestowed not only on my son, but also on my family and ancestors.”
“It’s something that’s very important to who we are,” he said, “that the young soldiers understand their history and strive to live up to the Army’s legacy.”
The 3-21st Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Hacker presented Mr. Hoe with a Gimlet, the symbol of the battalion, and a battalion coin, and Mr. Hoe and 3-21st Commander Lt. Col. Scott Schumacher cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the 1st Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe conference room.
After the ceremony, guests and participants enjoyed a Hawaiian style luau in remembrance of 1st Lt. Hoe.