Army Pfc. Robert A. Liggett

Died May 29, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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23, of Urbana, Ill.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.; died May 29 in Rustamiyah, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a non-combat-related incident. His death is under investigation.

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Soldier from Urbana dies in Iraq

The Associated Press

URBANA, Ill. — The Department of Defense is investigating the death of a 23-year-old soldier from this central Illinois city who was killed while serving in Iraq, the department said.

Pfc. Robert A. Liggett died May 29 in Rustamiyah, Iraq, after a non-combat-related incident, the department said.

Liggett’s father, Dean Liggett, told the Chicago Tribune that his son was a combat engineer who worked with explosives.

His 6-foot-2 son trimmed down from more than 250 pounds to enlist in April 2006 after being rejected by the Army for being overweight, Liggett said. He was noticeably more serious and muscular after returning from basic training in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., Liggett said.

“They turned him completely around,” he said.

The two last spoke in April, when the soldier told his father, “I’ll be sure to be home soon, Dad.”

Robert Liggett was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in Fort Benning, Ga.

There were no published telephone numbers for Robert Liggett in Urbana.