Born on April 28, 1966 in Louisiana
Died on May 24, 2010 in Numaniyah, Iraq
Maj. Culver was known by his middle name, Wayne. One of two sons born to Ronald and Betty Culver, he played baseball, was member in his church’s youth group, and was an active member in the Boy Scouts where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Wayne graduated from Northwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1984 and joined the military in 1988 and graduated from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 1989 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. Major Culver served a majority of his 22-year career with 1-156th Armor Battalion and 2-108th Cavalry Squadron in Fort Humbug in Shreveport. He served one tour during Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 and two tours in Iraq, the first from 2004-05 and again in 2010. Wayne also responded numerous times for State emergencies to include Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008. Wayne was promoted to Major on August 28th, 2006. Wayne deployed to Iraq in January 2010, as an executive officer with the 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, from Shreveport. He never asked his troops to do anything he would not do himself and was considered a soldier’s soldier. His unit’s duty was to conduct force protection and convoy security throughout the multi-national coalition during the responsible draw down of U.S. Forces in Iraq. He died May 24 in Numaniyah, Iraq, when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Major Culver received numerous military honors and awards during his 22 years in the Guard, including the Combat Action Badge, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with campaign star, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, numeral three and bronze hourglass, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Louisiana War Cross with two fleur-de-lis, the Louisiana Cross of Merit, the Louisiana Commendation Medal, the Louisiana Emergency Service Medal with one fleur-de-lis, and the Louisiana Longevity Ribbon with three fleur-de-lis. Major Culver also was a member of the Order of Saint George and recipient of the Order of Saint George Medallion, which is the top award given to the most deserving of members of the Army’s mounted force by the United States Armor Association and the United States Army.
Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery in Haughton, Louisiana.