Andres Nuiamäe

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Andres Nuiamäe (2 June 1982 – 28 February 2004) was an Estonian soldier in the ESTPLA-8 unit, serving in Baghdad, Iraq. Born in Lehtse, Estonia, he held the rank of Junior Sergeant in the Estonian Ground Forces.

On 28 February 2004, while on a 12-man patrol, an improvised explosive device detonated near the Abu Ghurayb market in Baghdad at 20:55 local time, killing Nuiamäe at age 21. He was the first soldier of Estonia’s independent army to die in combat since 1920, and the first Estonian to die in the Iraq War. His death sparked a national debate about keeping troops in Iraq, but Estonia decided to remain in the coalition.

Prime Minister Juhan Parts called the death a painful reminder of Iraq’s instability and supported continued coalition efforts for peace. After his funeral, President Arnold Rüütel offered condolences and spoke about duty and responsibility. On 10 March 2004 Nuiamäe was posthumously awarded the Order of the Cross of the Eagle. Later that year, Estonia also lost First Sergeant Arre Illenzeer in Iraq.