Missouri National Guard Soldier killed in Afghanistan

By: Public Affairs Office
Missouri National Guard

Sgt. Robert Wayne Crow, 42, of Kansas City, Mo., died July 10 in Paktika, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was a combat engineer with the 203rd Engineer Battalion headquartered in Joplin, Mo.
"The entire battalion is deeply affected by the tragic loss of Sgt. Crow," said Lt. Col. Anthony Adrian, 203d Engineer Battalion commander. "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."
"The entire Missouri National Guard Family mourns the loss of Sgt. Crow," said Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general for the Missouri National Guard. "Please keep his Family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
"We mourn the loss of this brave Citizen-Soldier who proudly served his state and his country in both Afghanistan and Iraq," Gov. Jay Nixon said. "The First Lady and I extend our condolences to the family of Sgt. Crow."
The 203rd Engineer Battalion has been deployed since September 2009, with a mission of clearing improvised explosive devices from roadways.
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 in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
Crow deployed with the 203rd as a specialist and was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.
His military awards include: Army Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/Mobilization Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Meritorious Unit Citation.
This is the battalion's second Missouri National Guard casualty. The Missouri National Guard 1141st Engineer Company, Kansas City, who serves under the 203rd Engineer Battalion in Afghanistan, suffered the loss of Sgt. Denis Kisseloff on May 14.
The 203rd commands, controls, and supports three sapper companies in Afghanistan - the 1141st, the 211th Engineer Company out of South Dakota and the 810th Engineer Company out of Georgia.
The Department of Defense official release is available at www.defense.gov/releases. Funeral arrangements are pending.



Posted: 7/12/2010 8:30:41 PM