Cpl Nicholas H. Olivas, 20, of Fairfield, Ohio, died May 30 in Zharay, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Cpl. Nicholas H. Olivas, US Army, age 20, of Fairfield, died Wednesday, May 30, 2012 while serving our Country in Afghanistan. He was more than a heroic soldier - to his family and friends, he was "Nick."  Nick was born in Hamilton, Ohio on February 7, 1992, the only son of Adolfo Olivas and Marian (Hart) Olivas.

He was a 2010 graduate of Fairfield High School where he had participated in the wrestling program. Nick met Faith Compton while they were both in high school and working at McDonald's. On July 26, 2011, Faith and Nick were united in marriage and in January 2012, the young couple became parents to a son, Connor Brantley Olivas. In February 2012, Nick was deployed to Afghanistan.

Cpl. Olivas, US Army, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

Survivors include his wife, Faith Olivas; son, Connor Olivas; parents Marian Olivas and Adolfo (Theresa) Olivas; three sisters, Maria, Alexa and Phillipa Olivas; maternal grandmother, Patricia Hart; mother and father-in-law, Marilyn and Max Compton; sisters-in-law, Jessica (Justin) Ross and Dawn (Bobby) Hensley; brother-in-law, Jeff Ash; nieces Riley Ross with whom Nick was especially enamored and Madalyn Ross, Dylan and Trysta Hensley and Riley Ash; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Max Hart and paternal grandparents, Henry and Elonia Olivas.

The Olivas Family has specifically requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to The Fisher House for Families of The Fallen, 116 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, Dover, DE 19902 or to the USO, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1200, Arlington, Va. 22201.These two organizations have been of significant assistance to the family and it is their desire that Nick will be remembered through these contributions. Visitation will be Sunday, June 10, 2012 at the Fairfield Senior High School, 8800 Holden Blvd., Fairfield from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Monday, June 11, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church of Fairfield, corner of Nilles and River Roads.

Burial with full military services will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, 4030 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton.