Army Staff Sgt. Robert F. White

Died September 26, 2005 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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34, of Cross Lanes, W.Va.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; killed Sept. 26 when his mounted patrol was engaged by enemy forces using small-arms fire west of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

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W.Va. soldier killed in Afghanistan

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia paratrooper has been killed in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was in was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, the 82nd Airborne said Wednesday.

Army Staff Sgt. Robert White, 34, of Cross Lanes died Monday from wounds he sustained as his patrol was attacked by militants near Zahri, according to a news release. White was an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

“Bob White was the kind of man who always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face, no matter how tough the situation, and no matter who he was talking to,” said Lt. Col. David P. Anders, 1st Battalion, 325th AIR commander. “He was greatly respected by his troopers, peers and superiors alike as a great leader and paratrooper. A loving husband, father and dear friend to many, he will be sadly missed, and always remembered as a fine man who left this earth far to early, but was doing the work he loved to do.”

White, a ranger-qualified squad leader, began his most recent duty with the 82nd Airborne Division in September 2004. This was his third assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division since 1992.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Multinational Forces and Observer’s Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

White is survived by his wife, Cathy, and their son, Zachary, of Fort Bragg; his parents, Stan and Shirley White of Cross Lanes; a sister and two brothers.

“I never really thought to worry about him because he’s been over there tons of times. But it doesn’t matter how many times you’re over there, you’re still in danger,” White’s sister, Christina White, told WCHS-TV on Wednesday.

About 200 U.S. service members have died in and around Afghanistan since the U.S.-led campaign to oust the Taliban regime began in late 2001. This year has been the deadliest yet for the 21,000-strong U.S.-led coalition force.