Sgt. Long Nguyen Was Valuable Asset to Oregon Army National Guard

Long Nguyen was born in Viet Nam on June 27, 1979 and moved to Portland with his parents at age 3.

Sgt. Long Nguyen Photo courtesy: Oregon National Guard

(SALEM) - Oregon Army National Guard soldier Sgt. Long N. Nguyen, 27, of Portland, Oregon died Feb. 10th in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related wound.

Nguyen was assigned to the 41st Brigade Support Battalion, based in Portland, Ore.

Sgt. Nguyen deployed to Afghanistan in June 2006 with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Tigard. The 41st IBCT is leading Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix V and is responsible for assisting the development of the Afghan National Army.

Long Nguyen was born in Viet Nam on June 27, 1979 and moved to Portland with his parents at age 3. He grew up in Portland with his three siblings (two brothers and a sister) and graduated in 1996 from Madison High School. He maintained close relationships with his parents and siblings.

After high school Long Nguyen enlisted in the Army in 1998. He joined the Oregon Army National Guard in 2001 and served as a supply specialist and property book handler, taking care of supply and equipment needs of soldiers and units within the 41st IBCT.

Nguyen was attending Portland State University prior to the deployment and expressed an interest in joining the Guard Officers Leadership Development program to become a commissioned officer.

Fellow soldiers in 141st BSB said Nguyen was outgoing, well known and well liked. He was known as a hard worker and good at his job. Prior to the deployment, the unit recognized him as the 2005 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.