Memorial

Neil Roberts

Specialty:
Navy SEAL
roberts purple heart bronze star
BUD/S Class:
184
SEAL Service:
10 years
Rank:
Petty Officer First Class
Age:
32
Home:
Woodland, CA
Assigned:
Naval Special Warfare Development Group
Died:
March 4, 2002
Operation:
Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
Details:
Roberts was killed in combat during a clandestine insertion, when the MH-47 Chinook helicopter he was readying to exit made a rushed take-off from a 10,000 foot mountain after it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. Roberts was thrown from the ramp of the helicopter, and immediately engaged overwhelming al-Qaeda forces with his M-249 light machine guns. Roberts survived at least 30 minutes before he was shot and killed at close range.
Award:
Bronze Star (see citation below)
Other Awards:
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2)
Army Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Battle “E” Award
Good Conduct Medal (4)
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (5)
NATO Medal (2)
Contributions:
Neil Roberts was part of a dedicated team fighting the Taliban, a fundamentalist regime that a U.S.-led coalition knocked from power in Afghanistan in 2001, but has continued to conduct guerilla operations, particularly along the Pakistan border. Roberts worked to help ensure that al-Qaeda terrorists could no longer train in, nor launch strikes from Afghanistan since their lethal attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001.

Roberts joined the Navy after graduation from high school, where he excelled in football and wrestling. He became a Navy SEAL in 1992. In March 2002, Roberts participated in the opening phase of Operation Anaconda, the U.S.-led offensive in the high mountains of eastern Afghanistan to surround and destroy a large group of al-Qaeda fighters.

Roberts was poised to exit the ramp of a MH-47 Chinook helicopter on a nighttime insertion, when the aircraft was hit by rocket-propelled grenades. As it took off, Roberts was thrown from the helicopter. He immediately engaged overwhelming al-Qaeda forces with his M-249 light machine guns. Roberts survived at least 30 minutes before he was shot and killed at close range. Roberts was the first Navy SEAL to die in Afghanistan, and the first to die in combat since 1989.

Intrepid and dedicated rescue forces, unaware of his fate, retook the ridge at a cost of several American lives. The U.S. military now calls that part of Takur Ghar Mountain, “Roberts Ridge.”

Bronze Star: Neil Roberts was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star. The Navy citation reads in part: “On that evening, his unit was to conduct a clandestine insertion onto a 10,000 foot mountain peak to establish an overwatch position, for an indeterminate amount of time, protecting other U.S. forces involved in the operation.”

“As the helicopter moved into position for the insertion, Petty Officer Roberts positioned himself on the helicopter ramp in order to expeditiously exit the helicopter, minimizing the threat to the aircraft and crew.”

“Without notice, his CH-47 helicopter received three rocket- propelled grenades exploding through the body of the aircraft. Hydraulic lines showered the metal ramp with slippery fluid as the aircraft lurched violently from the unexpected assault. Petty Officer Roberts was thrown from the ramp of the helicopter, falling onto the al-Qaeda infested mountain top just below.”

“He immediately maneuvered to make contact with rescue forces and establish a defensive position but, surrounded by overwhelming enemy force with superior firepower, Petty Officer Roberts died on the battlefield from fatal combat wounds.”

“By his zealous initiative, courageous actions, and exceptional dedication to duty, Petty Officer Roberts reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Navy.”

Memorials: A SEAL teammate spoke for many as he said, “Everyone seemed to like Roberts. They respected him because he was serious and professional when the situation demanded, but liked him because he knew how to crack a joke.

Roberts’ wife said, in a written statement read by a personal friend,

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Neil. To so many Neil is a hero, but he is more than that to us – he was a husband, a father, and a friend. We are very proud of his commitment to his country. As we move through these dark days, we find strength in our family and friends. We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support from our community and our nation.”

“He loved his family deeply and he loved being a SEAL. He loved his country and would want everyone to know that this is how he would have wanted to go. He made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that everyone who calls himself or herself an American truly has all the privileges of living in the greatest country in the world.”

“Neil’s love for his family and friends was evident at all times. He could lift your spirits instantly with a quirky quote or a catchy phrase or when he flashed that great smile of his. Neil would want everyone to remember him as a loving husband and father, a loving son and brother, a true friend and warrior who never once questioned his commitment to his family or his country.”

Roberts himself said, in a letter he left for his wife to open in the event of his death,

“I consider myself blessed with the best things a man could hope for. My childhood is something I’ll always treasure. My family is the reason I’m the person I am today. They supported and cared for me in the best way possible.”

“The Navy, although I sacrificed personal freedom and many other things, I got just as much as I gave. My time in the Teams was special. For all the times I was cold, wet, tired, sore, scared, hungry and angry, I had a blast. The bad was balanced equally with the good.”

“All the times spent in the company of my teammates was when I felt the closest to the men I had the privilege to work with. I loved being a SEAL. If I died doing something for the Teams, then I died doing what made me happy. Very few people have the luxury of that.”

 

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