Cottle, Robert James

Robert James Cottle was a Sergeant Major in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, based at Camp Pendleton, California. A veteran of multiple deployments, his service included operations in Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.

On March 24, 2010, Sergeant Major Cottle was on a combat patrol in Helmand province, a region in southern Afghanistan. He was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Another Marine, Lance Corporal Rick J. Centanni, 19, was also killed in the same blast.

The incident occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In early 2010, U.S. and allied forces were engaged in a major offensive, Operation Moshtarak, to clear Taliban strongholds in Helmand province. The use of IEDs by insurgent forces was a primary cause of coalition casualties during this period.

Sergeant Major Cottle's death was reported by the Department of Defense and covered by several news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times. He was survived by his wife and a young daughter. A memorial service was held at Camp Pendleton.

Cottle was remembered by his unit for his leadership and experience. He had served with the Los Angeles Police Department's SWAT team prior to his final deployment, a fact noted in several tributes following his death.

Sergeant Major Cottle was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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