Army Spc. Robert D. Roberts

Died November 22, 2003 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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21, of Winter Park, Fla.; assigned to A Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, based in Armstrong Barracks, Germany; killed Nov. 22 when a tank collided with his vehicle in Baghdad, Iraq.

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The same day she learned of her husband's death in Iraq, Jill Roberts received three cards in the mail from him, two of them for their 3-year-old son, Jacob. In one card, Robert Roberts told his son to "take care of Mommy until Daddy gets home." "Bobby went into the Army to be sure he could provide for his son, and he always did provide for us," Jill Roberts said. Spc. Roberts, 21, of Winter Park, Fla., died Nov. 22 when his vehicle was crushed by a tank during a night mission in Baghdad. His unit had been based in Hanau, Germany, before being sent to Iraq. Roberts played high school football, and worked at an Italian restaurant and as a carpenter before enlisting. His brother returned home from serving in Iraq in August. "We want him remembered as the hero he was," said Jill Roberts, 20. "He was very proud of the job he was doing."

— Associated Press