Robert J Chiomento II

Fort Dix, New Jersey

July 17, 2006

 Killed in Khwaya Ahmad, Afghanistan, when his patrol encountered enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.

I was a friend of SSG Robert J. Chiomento. We served together at Fort Polk, Louisiana. I met Rob while we were attending college classes on the post. He had served in the 82d Airborne Division as did I and we had a bond right away. Soldiers who have served in the 82d always share the same bond because that division is a special place where special Soldiers serve. Rob proved this point as he was assigned to an ACRC slot training reservists and was not happy because it took him away from a deployable unit and being a leader of Soldiers. He volunteered to go to the 10th Mountain Division here at Fort Polk where he could get "into the fight". That was the kind of Soldier he was, willing to trade a safe job for a combat unit. I spoke with a Soldier who was in the same fight as Rob when he died and was told that he was an exceptional leader under fire and that his sole purpose was to protect his Soldiers, fight and win so that they could all return home. Rob will always have a special place in my heart as he was the epitome of a dedicated qualified leader who loved his family, country, and Soldiers. 

HOWARD A. THRASHER
Plans, Operations, and Training Officer
Berry Battle Command Training Center