Remembering our fallen heroes
” Any nation that does not honor its veterans will not long endure.”
– Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, 10 September:
Staff Sgt. Joseph E. Robsky Jr.
United States Army
On this day in 2003, Staff Sgt. Robsky was killed when the enemy explosive devise he was attempting to defuse in Baghdad, Iraq detonated. The 31-year-old native of Elizaville, N.Y. served four years in the Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq and Bosnia before becoming an explosive ordnance disposal technician in the 759th Ordnance Company, 3rd Ordnance Battalion, 52d Ordnance Group out of Fort Irwin, Calif.
Wednesday, 11 September:
Capt. John D. Yamnicky Sr.
U.S. Navy (Retired)
On this day in 2001, the 71-year-old military contractor and retired Navy captain was headed to California to work on a missile program when terrorists flew his airplane (United Airlines Flight 77) into the Pentagon, killing 64 passengers and 125 personnel on the ground. The Waldorf, Md. native played football for the U.S. Naval Academy (Class of ’52), fighting in Korea before becoming an attack plane pilot. He served three combat tours in Vietnam before becoming a test pilot, retiring in 1979. Yamnicky is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thursday, 12 September:
2nd Lt. Emily J.T. Perez
United States Army
On this day in 2006 Lt. Perez volunteered to lead a convoy in Al Kifl, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near her vehicle, killing the former Cadet Command Sergeant Major at the U.S. Military Academy (Class of ’05). Born in Heidelberg, West Germany, the 23-year-old medical service officer was serving with the 204th Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.
Friday, 13 September:
Master Sgt. Danial R. Adams
United States Army
On this day in 2011 Master Sgt. Adams was killed during an intense firefight in Afghanistan’s Wardak Province. The 35-year-old native of Portland, Ore. served with the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Stuttgart, Germany. He entered the service as an infantryman, joining the 75th Ranger Regiment before becoming a Green Beret.