Victor R. Lu, 22

Marines, Lance Corporal

Based: Camp Pendleton

3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: November 13, 2004

Fallouja, Iraq

Single

Gender: Male

Hometown: Los Angeles

High School: Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High (Los Angeles)

Burial: Los Angeles National Cemetery, Westwood

Lu was born in Los Angeles after his family immigrated to the United States from Vietnam. After Lu was killed, his father said that his sorrow was tempered by a strong sense of pride.

Cole W. Larsen, 11/13/2004

James P. Blecksmith, 11/11/2004

19 memories of Victor R. Lu

“

Victor was one of those guys who you would have problems in trying to find somebody who could tell you somebody bad about him because he was such a nice guy to know.

He always walked the hallways at Bravo with a smile, and I can only recall a few times seeing him get mad at somebody (I really felt bad for those people ;-D). I would usually see him in the mornings in the weight room to work out before class, and he and I would usually have to team up because most of the other people couldn't support the amount of weights that we would lift. You'd be hard pressed to find him be anything but a gentleman, always enjoying life and never letting trivial things get in the way of his enjoyment of life.

Years later, I remember reading the article in the LA Times written shortly after his death. I was in total shock and while I felt sad about his death, I remember feeling a sense of pride for his sacrifice to the country he loved.

Months later, I was asked by my boss to attend an event at the Los Angeles Police Museum for a memorial service for a fallen Marine. I soon found out that the event was for Victor. When I arrived, I had the honor to meet his family and reconnect with his sister, who I hadn't seen since graduating high school. Everybody in the room knew the kind of person he was and the kind of playfulness in him that would lead him to making friends with just about anybody.

In knowing Victor, you would instantly become a better person, and for that, I'll be forever thankful to him.

” — Ulisses, May 22, 2009 at 1:26 p.m.

“

I first met Victor about 13 years ago. We both got scammed into a bull$hit job interview offering 14 bucks an hour selling cookware. After I asked the presenter “would we be getting paid hourly or is this solely commission?” Victor and I both stood up and left the interview while the rest of the suckers sat there. We left and had a smoke while we walked back to the car. Even though I barely met Victor, it felt like I’ve already known the guy. Since than I’ve always ran into the him, at the club, at the gym.. He used to visit me at my old work and hangout. I’m glad I ran into him again at the Century Club before he deployed.

I still remember the message you left on my myspace to kick it when you got back.. It’s been a good while since I’ve hit the clubs homie, but if they have some poppin spots in heaven, I’ll dust off my dancing shoes and meet you there when my time comes. Rest in peace Victor. You are truly missed

” — Frank, June 13, 2011 at 4:53 p.m.

“

Hey Vic, how are you bro? It's been a long time since we last spoke. I remember all the hard work we put in at RSS Pasadena to get you to drop some pounds, all the studying we did together. Vic I remember the day we went and talked with your family when I dropped you off to go to bootcamp. We drove down Old Town Pasadena to see the ladies walking around one last time. Vic, you were always in a good mood, never mad, always happy and willing to help the other pooles. I remember how proud your father was the day I gave you the Delayed Entry Enlistment Certificate. We both signed it, and you joked "Sgt Lam, one day I wanna be your gunner". Those words have never left my mind and my heart Vic. Because after I dropped you off to go to bootcamp I never saw you again. Vic, I Love you Marine.I am sorry I never had the chance to tell you it, but you were my favorite recruit. It has taking me this long to be strong enough and tell you all this because I have been filled with guilt. But I know that being a Marine was the only thing you ever wanted to do and I am glad, we made it happen. You and I. I will do my best to honor you daily for the rest of my life. Semper Fi.
B.M.Lam.
USMC-1993-2009.

” — Byron M Lam, April 20, 2012 at 1:22 a.m.

“

To Vic Lu,
You were the most unique person I have ever met. I will never forget how with great ease you were flipping over 7 ton tires at Warriors Night. Everyone in 3rd Bn 5th Mar. knew who Vic Lu was, and from this day on, I will never forget Big Lu. The greatest event that ever happen to me was to serve with heroes such as yourself, along with the rest of our brothers we have lost in battle. Our wounds will never heal, but your spirit will live on forever. Even though we served together, I want to give you my gratitude and thank you for serving our country, and for fighting for our freedom. I miss you brother, and you will never be forgotten. On this day, I will have a drink open at the bar for you, and I will respect that drink for you and for the men of 3rd Bn. 5th Mar.
THREE-FIVE...GET SOME!!!
NACTON....DARKHORSE....and for HAVOC....

” — A. Adrian Rocha, November 13, 2012 at 7:21 p.m.

“

Vic, it's been years...the last time i saw you was at SOI in 2003 after we graduated bootcamp. I ran into you, surprised to see from the mountains and on the parade deck. We were all happy to reunite after 3057 and soon going into the abyss in the fleet. Kielion was in your SOI class I think bc his parents and my parents wanted us to link up in Pendleton but I remember you were estatic to tell me the good news about Lumpsey making Honor Grad and Lumpsey was with you to tell me the news. We made it through 3057 and i knew you were having a hard time with the weight in bootcamp, you looked very sick but you were very strong to hold on to the rest of the journey to make it through bootcamp. I admired your strength and you'll never be forgotten in my eyes and heart... I didn't hear of the news until I met up with Stevenson in Sergeant's Course in 2008 when he asked me, 'Did you hear about Lu?' 'Nah, bro, what's up?' 'he didn't come home, he got peppered in Fallujah'... My heart sank to see a great giant fall. So I decided to do my final report on the Battle of Fallujah in your honor, bc that's what was happening and I knew beforehand, my neighbor at the time, Kielion was KIA and was in your same unit but different company... Peace be with you, Rest In Peace, and I'll see you in the Halls of Valhalla... I'll always be here for you bro, i have a memorial for all my fallen bros', you're one of them and every Memorial Day and Marine Corps birthday i light those candles, they go out when they can't burn no more but the flames never die in my heart. What ever is on your mind, you can always talk to me, i'm here for you, just see me in my sleep, everyone else does.

I'm out now, got out in 2012, i re-up'd another term to go EOD but i didn't make the cut, it finished before it started, made a deployment to Marjah and now I'm sick... I made SSgt at the end of the 10 years bro... now i'm back to my roots working the oilfields down here in Tx. Everything is good but its just i hurt everyday of it bc it reminds me of the hell we all went through but i'm hanging on just like you held on to finish and graduate.

Love you my brother, Semper Fi
Lopez JC SSgt/USMC
3rd RTB, "Insane" India Company, Platoon 3057

” — Juan Lopez, November 2, 2015 at 1:32 p.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Victor R. Lu, 22

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19 memories of Victor R. Lu