Robert J. Wilson – Staff Sergeant, United States Army

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 0073-08
January 28, 2008

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sergeant Robert J. Wilson, 28, of Boynton Beach, Florida, died January 26, 2008, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting a dismounted patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.


28 January 2008:

Robert J. Wilson, 28, from suburban Boynton Beach, died Saturday of wounds from an explosive device that detonated while he was on foot patrol in Baghdad.

His mother and stepfather, who live in the Chalet subdivision, turned away requests for interviews Monday.

“They were very proud of him,” said a neighbor who wrote to him recently and a week ago received a letter back, in which he described the satisfaction of serving.

A member of the 101st Airborne Division, Wilson entered the Army three months after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He arrived at Fort Campbell, Ky., in September 2006. He served more than one tour in Iraq, the neighbor said.

 “Everyone who lived with him, trained with him, ate with him, is there now,” she said.

Wilson received a number of awards, including a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

In addition to his mother, Peggy Habian, and stepfather, Kevin Habian, he is survived by his father, Willie Wilson of Taylorville, Illinois.


Peggy Habian said she and her son, Robert J. Wilson, talked about what should happen if he were killed in Iraq.

“He said, ‘If something ever happens, I don’t want a lot of articles in the paper,”’ Habian said. “He was a humble servant of the Army, not a media person.”

Wilson, of Boynton Beach, Fla., died Jan. 26 of wounds suffered from an explosive in Baghdad. He was assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky., and was serving his third Iraq tour.

“He was such an amazing guy, and he lived for what he loved, and loved for what he lived. I am so very thankful to have been able to call him my friend,” Kami Horton said.

Wilson entered the Army three months after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Boynton Beach city officials commemorated Wilson at his funeral.

“Sergeant. Wilson as an American soldier was performing his duty so that citizens of another country could someday experience peace and prosperity,” said City Manager Kurt Bressner. “It seems fitting that the Boynton Beach community should pause, honor his service and say thank you.”

He also is survived by his father, Willie Wilson, and stepfather, Kevin Habian.

WILSON, ROBERT J
SSG   US ARMY

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 03/15/1979
  • DATE OF DEATH: 01/26/2008
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 60  SITE 8265
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

 

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