Statistics Division - Tribute to Samoan Soldiers
Fighting for Freedom
The Samoan Soldiers in the United States Arm Forces are often referred to as the Samoan Warriors of the 21st century. They possess the heart and soul of our ancestors who fought to keep land, tradition and culture. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow the sons and daughters of Samoa join the armed forces of the United States of America to do the very same. To protect the freedoms, traditions and land we treasure and hold dear to our hearts.
As soldiers, Samoans incorporate the “fa’a samoa”, or Samoan way of life, into their military duties and everyday lives while serving our country. They keep the faith; they exemplify loyalty by staying true to God, Country and Families.
While many have made the ultimate sacrifice, many more are willing to stay the course and keep the fight.
Samoans by per capita, have dominated the United States Military in recruitment, deployment and unfortunately casualties of war. In Operation Iraqi Freedom the death rate for Samoans has been estimated at 86.4 per 1 million population as of May 2005, in comparison to the national rate of 5 per million, according to a USA TODAY publication on May 27, 2005. Over 6,000 service members, of Samoan ancestry, 450 have been deployed and 5 have become casualties of war.
In April of 2005, 45 local reservists of the 793rd Engineering Battalion return home from their fourteen-month deployment in Iraq. Currently deployed in Iraq “Operation Iraqi Freedom” are the 100th Battalion 442nd Infantry Companies Bravo and Charlie with 200 local reservists, expected to all return home safely as one family and one unit of Samoan Warriors, in early 2006.
The service of all sons and daughters of Samoa, past and present, is commended and appreciated by all.
