DUMAW, JOSHUA

Joshua R. Dumaw was born on June 13, 1987 at Deaconess Hospital and grew up in Spokane Valley WA. Josh was a 2005 graduate of West Valley High School and loved anything outdoors, from snowboarding to skateboarding, water tubing and swimming. He loved camping, riding motorcycles and fishing. Josh was always on the go and did just about everything, with the exception of his homework, at one hundred and ten percent. 

After graduating from high school he explored a career in the electrical field, however, he soon discovered “that it did not provide enough adventure for him.” Cpl. Dumaw joined the Marine Corps on June 4, 2007, nine days before his 20th birthday. After Boot Camp, Marine Combat Training and Military Police School, he reported to Cherry Point North Carolina in March 2008 to Military Police Company, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Soon afterward, he was deployed to Iraq with Task Force Military Police. 

In his second deployment, he was assigned as Fire Team Leader for 1st Platoon, Military Police Company, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and was deployed to Afghanistan. Referred to as a “giant teddy bear”, Cpl Dumaw’s First Sergeant Wilber Amaker said Joshua “was always a positive person to be around…he was someone who people gravitated toward because he had a positive outlook on life. He always wanted to make you feel better.” 

Cpl Dumaw and his wife Kailyn were expecting their first child in September, Joshua Bodie Robert Dumaw. Kailyn said, “there was definitely never a dull moment when Josh was around”, but that also “his smile could comfort me even in the most unknown territory”. The number of people Josh touched is truly overwhelming and says a lot about the person he was when words will never accurately tell his whole story.  

Cpl Dumaw was killed in action by an improvised explosive device on June 22, 2010 while conducting combat operations. Cpl Dumaw was awarded the Purple Heart.  

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers Cpl Joshua R. Dumaw for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. His life continues to inspire all who learn his story.