Army Staff Sgt. Robert B. Cowdrey

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Robert B. Cowdrey, 39, of Atwater, Ohio

SSgt Cowdrey was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Oct. 13, 2011 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, from injuries suffered during combat operations.


SSgt Cowdrey, a flight medic, was killed during a rescue mission. This was his fourth deployment, having previously deployed once to Iraq and Afghanistan twice in 2007 and 2009.

SSgt Cowdrey graduated from La Junta High School in 1990. He was a firefighter for the Suffield and Ravenna township departments for a number of years. He does training for fire departments around the state.

SSgt Cowdrey joined the Army in 2003. He was currently serving his 4th deployment that began in August 2010. He had previously served in Iraq from July 2004 to July 2005 and in Afghanistan from January 2007 to February 2008 and April 2009 to March 2010.

SSgt Cowdrey was an avid outdoorsman. He loved visiting his relatives in Ohio and loved hunting with his brother, Quentin.

Quentin said his brother was a hero who “died doing what he loved to do. He loved his family and his job. To say that he impacted the lives of countless people is an understatement.”

Father-in-law, Jay Bollacker, said Cowdrey, who went by “Brian”, loved being a soldier and the military. “He felt like he was helping the war effort. He had a very dangerous job.”

SSgt Cowdrey and wife of 17 years, Kimberly, have three sons. Oldest son, Justin, serves in the Army and is currently stationed in Germany. Middle son, Nathan, dreams of going to West Point. Youngest son, Jacob “just wants to grow up to make a difference in the world, just like his dad and his brothers.”

SSgt Cowdrey's awards and decorations include:

Bronze Star
Air Medal (3)
Commendation Medal for Valor (2)
Commendation Medal (3)
Achievement Medal (2)
Good Conduct Medal (2)
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Noncommisssioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO Medal
Combat Medic Badge
Combat Action Badge
Aviator Badge

SSgt Cowdrey is survived by his mother, Donna; wife, Kimberly, and sons, Justin, Nathan and Jacob; brother, Quentin.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert B. Cowdrey was killed in action on 10/13/11.