VASHON, WA, US
U. S. Army
1LT, HQ AND HQ CO, 2ND SQD, 2ND STRYKER CAV REGT, VILSECK, GERMANY
07/18/2010, QALAT, AFGHANISTAN
First Lieutenant Robert Niels Bennedsen died at I Qalat, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. His unit was running supplies to remote outposts. The ambulance in front of his truck hit a roadside bomb and was thown off course, though no one inside the vehicle was hurt. Robert jumped out to help when another IED exploded. He was twenty-five years old. He was assigned to the 2d Squadron, 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck Germany.
First Lieutenant Robert N. Bennedsen of Vashon, Washington was a 2004 graduate of Vashon High School. Robert was a high school wrestler and football star who set many school and state records. He also played soccer and ran track, but football was his passion. He was a volunteer at the local fire department and became qualified to train other firefighters.
He was a mountain climber and a scuba diver, who began diving at age fourteen. He was also an avid fisherman and boater and a classic car enthusiast. He was a 2008 honor graduate from Seattle University with a full Army ROTC scholarship. He had earned a bachelor’s degree in business and was at the top of his class as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He was also a Soldier, a Leader and a 2d Dragoon.
Robert’s infectious smile was partly responsible for earning him the nickname “Live Wire.” He enjoyed food and loved to eat. He also had two families as though he had so much going on that it needed to be shared and stirred with two, not one family. Memories of fun and laughter shared midst military honors and tribute provided a salutary farewell with golden spurs and a gold star given to his family.
Rest well, young Trooper. Your patrol is completed. Always Ready, Sir!