Army Spc. Robert W. Crow, Jr.

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Robert W. Crow, Jr., 42, of Kansas City, Mo.

Spc. Crow was assigned to the 203rd Engineer Battalion, Missouri National Guard, Joplin, Mo.; died July 10. 2010 in Paktika, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

A local solider has perished in combat in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense said Sgt. Robert Crow, Jr., 42, of Kansas City, Mo., was killed Saturday in Paktika, Afghanistan. Officers said insurgents attacked Crows vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

The DOD said Crow was part of the 203rd Engineer Battalion based out of Joplin, Mo. Officers said he was posthumously awarded the rank of sergeant.

Missouri National Guard officers said the battalion was dispatched in September 2009 to clear IEDs from roadways. Guard members said Crow joined in December 2005 and in 2007, he was deployed to Iraq.

"The entire battalion is deeply affected by the tragic loss of Sgt. Crow," said Lt. Col. Anthony Adrian. "He was a good friend, loved by everyone who knew him. He loved being a Husky operator, because there he was in the best position to protect his platoon -- he took this self-imposed responsibility very seriously. Though all here are stunned by his loss, we keep his family foremost in our thoughts and prayers as they face this unthinkable tragedy."

Crow had gone to Afghanistan when his unit, the 203rd Engineer Battalion of Joplin deployed last September. His home unit of combat engineers was the 1141st Engineer company of Kansas City which he joined in 2005.The job of his unit was clearing improvised explosive devices from roadways.The soldiers are commonly called sappers.

From Guard headquarters Major Tammy Spicer said The Iraq War veteran had volunteered to drive a specialized device unknown in the civilian world, actually the vehicle that goes out and looks for mines because, " that's where Sergeant Crowe felt he was in best position to protect his fellow service members, his platoon. So this is literally a hero who put himself in harm's way every day." Spicer's adds, " unfortunately, the enemy won this one."

An improvised bomb blew up. Robert W. Crow died last Saturday, July 10th.

Commanders said Crow's death is the battalion's second Missouri National
Crow joined the Missouri National Guard in December 2005 and served with the 203rd Engineer Battalion. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq with the Missouri National Guard's 35th Engineer Brigade, headquartered at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

His military awards include: Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Meritorious Unit Citation.

His obituary: Sgt. Robert Wayne Crow, Jr., 42, of Kansas City North, lost his life on July 10, 2010, while serving his country in Afghanistan. Wayne was born April 28, 1968 in Victorville, California and lived there until moving to the Kansas City area in 2004. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard since 2005 and was serving his second tour of duty in the U.S. Army National Guard in the 203rd Engineer Battalion at the time of his death. Wayne worked for Missouri Gas Energy and previously was employed with Heartland Midwest.

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Cyr. Survivors include his wife of 11 years, Beverly A. Crow; children, Robert Wayne Crow, III, David Crow, Larry Kern, James Kern, Craig Kern and Meredith Kern; his father, Robert Wayne Crow, Sr.; sister, Brenda Lopez; brother, Norman Crow; twelve grandchildren, Aaliyah, Carl, Kimberly, Ashton, Jayce, Patrick, Trevor, Aubrie, Craig, Joseph, Riley and Hailey, as well as a 13th grandchild due in November. He also leaves Beverly's family, including her parents, Wilber and Maryann Hilke, and Lowell and Linda McGinnis; and many other relatives and friends. Wayne will be greatly missed, but will remain forever in our hearts. We love you!

Army Spc. Robert W. Crow, Jr was killed in action on 7/10/10.