Defazio, Robert William

Robert William Defazio was a 21-year-old soldier from West Babylon, New York. He served as a Specialist in the U.S. Army, assigned to the 23rd Ordnance Company, 101st Ordnance Battalion, based in Kaiserslautern, Germany. His unit specialized in the maintenance and disposal of munitions.

On April 24, 2005, Defazio was killed in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. According to the Department of Defense, he was conducting a route clearance mission when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He was one of two soldiers killed in the blast.

Defazio's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. By 2005, the conflict had shifted from major combat operations to a protracted counterinsurgency, with a focus on stabilizing regions like Kandahar and countering Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces.

The Army posthumously awarded Defazio the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His death was reported by several news outlets, including Newsday, which noted his local ties to Long Island. He was buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.

He is remembered on memorials including the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York. His name is also inscribed on Panel 9E, Line 120 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum in Georgia.

Robert Defazio 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.

← Return to the full memorial | Add a memorial record