The body of the most recent American soldier to die in Afghanistan has returned home to the U.S.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Elliott J. Robbins, 31, died Sunday from noncombat injuries and his body arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
Sgt. 1st Class Elliott J. Robbins, 31, a Special Forces medical sergeant from Ogden, Utah, assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died Sunday, June 30, 2019, from non-combat related injuries in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army/Released)
Robbins was a twice-deployed Green Beret medical sergeant with the 10th Special Forces Group based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Elliott J. Robbins of Ogden, Utah, during a dignified transfer July 2, 2019, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Robbins was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)
“A skilled soldier with three combat deployments, Robbins will always be remembered,” 10th Special Forces Group commander Col. Lawrence G. Ferguson said in an Army statement.
“We mourn the tragic passing of Sgt. 1st Class Elliott Robbins. The 10th Special Forces Group has paid a heavy toll in recent days. While we mourn, we will support Sgt. 1st Class Robbins’ Family and honor his service,” Ferguson added.
Robbins died in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed, but is under investigation.
He had joined the Army in 2006 and his first assignment was as an infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division. He went on to complete the Special Forces Qualification Course and was then assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed to Afghanistan twice with his Special Operations Unit – once in 2017 and in 2019.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert ordered the Utah state flags to fly at half-staff on the day of Robbins’ funeral.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Sergeant First Class Elliott J. Robbins this morning. I am grateful to him for the service he gave his country. Jeanette and I extend our sincere condolences to his parents, his wife and son at this difficult time,” Herbert tweeted.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Sergeant First Class Elliott J. Robbins this morning. I am grateful to him for the service he gave his country. Jeanette and I extend our sincere condolences to his parents, his wife and son at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/9lNhASxZmw
— Gov. Gary Herbert (@GovHerbert) July 1, 2019
Robbins was a decorated soldier with more than 20 awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal with Combat Device and one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Achievement Medal with one Silver and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
Robbins was the 10th U.S. service member to die in Afghanistan in 2019.
Just a week earlier, Robbins’ fellow 10th Special Forces Group soldier Master Sgt. Michael B. Riley, 32, was killed alongside explosive ordnance disposal Sgt. James G. Johnston in small arms fire in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan Province.
Riley was a recipient of the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, and was on his sixth deployment to Afghanistan, according to an Army statement.
Johnston was a recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart and had deployed to Afghanistan in March, Fox News reported.
