A 21-year old Marine from northwest Iowa was killed this week when a bomb exploded in Iraq. Lance Corporal William J. “B. Jay” Leusink was conducting a dismounted patrol in Al Anbar province northwest of Baghdad when he was hit. Military officials say Leusink was treated on scene, then transported to a nearby hospital and died at noon on Monday.
Leusink belonged to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Three Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He had also served a tour of duty in Afghanistan before heading to Iraq.
Leusink grew up on his parents’ rural Maurice farm and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 2003. He was married to Miranda Leusink two years ago and also leaves behind his parents, a brother, and two sisters. He was the son of William and Elaine Leusink of Maurice, Iowa. Services are pending.