Army Sgt. Nicholas J. Olivier

Died February 23, 2005 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom

26, of Ruston, La.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, Louisiana Army National Guard, Pineville, La.; killed Feb. 23 when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on foot patrol in Baghdad.

Slain soldier had decided to extend service in Iraq

Associated Press

LAFAYETTE, La. — A Lafayette soldier killed in Iraq this week recently decided to extend his service in Iraq, the Louisiana National Guard said on Saturday.

The Guard said Staff Sgt. Nicholas J. Olivier was one of 150 Louisiana Guardsmen who had decided to continue serving in Iraq.

Olivier, 26, was with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 256th Brigade Combat Team. He was the 15th member of the 256th from Louisiana to die in Iraq. He was killed Wednesday when a homemade bomb exploded while he was conducting a ground patrol in Baghdad.

He is survived by his wife, Angelle Olivier, and his parents, William and Linda Olivier.

In a statement released by the National Guard, Angelle Olivier said her husband “was committed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and his country.”

She added: “He felt the mission was necessary to ensure our country’s freedom and continue the fight to abolish terrorism.”