Jesse Aliganga
Encyclopedia
Sergeant Jesse Nathanael Aliganga, a United States Marine Security Guard, was the only U.S. Marine killed in the 1998 Embassy bombing in Kenya
.
Sergeant Aligana was serving at the American Embassy in Nairobi
, Kenya
. On August 7, 1998, at the age of 21, Sergeant Aliganga was killed by a car-bomb explosion, along with eleven fellow Americans, in the terrorist attack
. Sgt Aliganga was the only Marine who died in the attack in Kenya. This was part of a simultaneous massive terrorist attack in which car bombs were exploded at U.S. embassies in Tanzania
and Kenya, killing 257 people and wounding over 4,000. The attack was later determined to be conducted by Osama bin Laden
and the Al Qaeda network.
, attended high school in Tallahassee, Florida
, graduating in 1994. In January 1995, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
. Sergeant Aliganga attended Marine Corps recruit training
at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. Thereafter, he trained as a communication specialist at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms
, California and at Keesler Air Force Base
in Biloxi, Mississippi. After training, he was stationed with the 3rd Marine Division
at the Marine Corps Base
in Okinawa, Japan, followed by service with the 1st Force Service Support Group at Camp Pendleton
.
In early January 1998, based on recommendations from his superiors, Sergeant Aliganga was sent to the elite Marine Security Guard School, in Quantico, Virginia
. Upon completing the rigorous training, Sergeant Aliganga requested the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. In late February 1998, his request was approved and he was assigned to one tour of special duty at the United States Embassy in Kenya, where he served until his untimely death on August 7, 1998.
Sergeant Aliganga was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery
.
1998 United States embassy bombings
The 1998 United States embassy bombings were a series of attacks that occurred on August 7, 1998, in which hundreds of people were killed in simultaneous truck bomb explosions at the United States embassies in the East African capitals of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. The date of the...
.
Sergeant Aligana was serving at the American Embassy in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. On August 7, 1998, at the age of 21, Sergeant Aliganga was killed by a car-bomb explosion, along with eleven fellow Americans, in the terrorist attack
1998 United States embassy bombings
The 1998 United States embassy bombings were a series of attacks that occurred on August 7, 1998, in which hundreds of people were killed in simultaneous truck bomb explosions at the United States embassies in the East African capitals of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. The date of the...
. Sgt Aliganga was the only Marine who died in the attack in Kenya. This was part of a simultaneous massive terrorist attack in which car bombs were exploded at U.S. embassies in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
and Kenya, killing 257 people and wounding over 4,000. The attack was later determined to be conducted by Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was the founder of the militant Islamist organization Al-Qaeda, the jihadist organization responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States and numerous other mass-casualty attacks against civilian and military targets...
and the Al Qaeda network.
Biography
Sergeant Aliganga, a Filipino AmericanFilipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
, attended high school in Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
, graduating in 1994. In January 1995, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. Sergeant Aliganga attended Marine Corps recruit training
Recruit training
Recruit training, more commonly known as Basic Training and colloquially called Boot Camp, is the initial indoctrination and instruction given to new military personnel, enlisted and officer...
at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina. Thereafter, he trained as a communication specialist at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center , also known as 29 Palms, is a United States Marine Corps base. It was a census-designated place officially known as Twentynine Palms Base located adjacent to the city of Twentynine Palms in southern San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2000...
, California and at Keesler Air Force Base
Keesler Air Force Base
Keesler Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Biloxi, a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, United States. The base is named in honor of aviator 2d Lt Samuel Reeves Keesler, Jr., a Mississippi native killed in France in First World War.-Units:The base is home of...
in Biloxi, Mississippi. After training, he was stationed with the 3rd Marine Division
U.S. 3rd Marine Division
The 3rd Marine Division is an infantry division in the United States Marine Corps based at Camp Courtney, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. It is one of three active duty divisions in the Marine Corps, and together with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and the 3rd Marine...
at the Marine Corps Base
Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler
Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler is a United States Marine Corps base located in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. It was named for legendary Marine Smedley D. Butler.-Installations:...
in Okinawa, Japan, followed by service with the 1st Force Service Support Group at Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
.
In early January 1998, based on recommendations from his superiors, Sergeant Aliganga was sent to the elite Marine Security Guard School, in Quantico, Virginia
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
. Upon completing the rigorous training, Sergeant Aliganga requested the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. In late February 1998, his request was approved and he was assigned to one tour of special duty at the United States Embassy in Kenya, where he served until his untimely death on August 7, 1998.
Sergeant Aliganga was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.