7/17/2007

Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EWS/SW) Patrick L. Wade, U.S. Navy was born August 13, 1968 in Appleton, Wisconsin to Robert and Shirley Wade.  Chief Wade enlisted in the Navy on July 21, 1987.  He graduated from Recruit Training in Great Lakes, Illinois on September 22, 1987 and attended Operations Specialist Class “A” School at Virginia Beach, Virginia and graduated on January 15, 1988.

Chief Wade then attended Scuba Diver training at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida with follow on EOD Assistant training at the Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment Eglin Air Force Base, Florida and graduated as an EOD Assistant on October 7, 1988.

Chief Wade’s first assignment in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal community was at EOD Mobile Unit FOUR located at Key West, Florida.  While stationed at EOD Mobile Unit FOUR he became a qualified Marine Mammal Operator training dolphins for the Mark 6 Marine Mammal program.  After completing this tour, Chief Wade transferred to Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Indian Head, Maryland and graduated as an EOD Technician on December 18, 1992.  Following graduation he was transferred to EOD Mobile Unit NINE located at Mare Island, California.

While stationed at EOD Mobile Unit NINE he successfully completed a Western Pacific deployment onboard the USS CARL VINSON.  Additionally, the Royal Omani Air Force’s Commanding Officer singled him out for his professionalism in conducting six technical lectures and three field classes to the Royal Omani Air Force.

Chief Wade was promoted to Petty Officer First Class and was transferred to EOD Mobile Unit EIGHT Detachment Rota, Spain.  After completing his first successful overseas tour, Chief Wade transferred to EOD Mobile Unit THREE located in Coronado, California.

Chief Wade excelled at EOD Mobile Unit THREE serving on both Mine Countermeasures and Amphibious Ready Group detachments.  He completed multiple exercises, another Western Pacific deployment onboard the USS BOXER, qualified as a Master EOD Technician and served as the Leading Petty Officer for Detachment FIVE and the Readiness and Training Department.  Due to his amazing accomplishments and sustained superior performance throughout his career, he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 2002.  Upon completion of his tour at EOD Mobile Unit THREE, Chief Wade accepted overseas orders back to the EOD Detachment at Rota, Spain.

During his time stationed at Det Rota, Chief Wade performed duties as a Diving Supervisor, Demolitions Operations Supervisor and as the command’s Administrative Officer.  Chief Wade participated in multi-national exercises, mentored Sailors in Rota and traveled to Naval Service Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois to screen and prepare over ninety perspective students for EOD/SEAL/Diver/Special Warfare Combatant Crewman schools.  Following his second successful overseas tour, Chief Wade transferred to EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN.

Chief Wade reported onboard EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN on December 1, 2006 and immediately took charge of Detachment THIRTEEN.  He led his team through a high paced, arduous training cycle that started in January and ran through April.  His team deployed to Iraq on May 3, 2007 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  Upon arrival in Iraq, Chief Wade’s team was sent to Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora and provided general support to the EOD Mobile Unit TWO Battalion and direct support to the 82nd Airborne 2/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.  Chief Wade’s team performed a total of 100 EOD missions including 40 improvised explosive devices, 14 suspect improvised explosive devices, two suspect vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, 14 unexploded ordnance calls, 12 post blast assessments, and two explosive remnants of war items were identified and rendered safe. 

Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician(EWS/SW) Patrick L. Wade was killed in action on the 17th of July, 2007 during combat operations while supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in the vicinity of Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora.  Chief Wade was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor and Purple Heart.  

Patrick L. Wade is survived by his wife Keri, their two daughters Noelle and Esme, his mother Shirley, brothers Gary and Scott, and his sister Sheryl.