Jarrett Robertson: Difference between revisions
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On November 9, 1968, Robertson was ordered to take command of Troop B, 1st Squadron, [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]], when its commander was killed in action. His leadership of these 400 soldiers earned him a [[Silver Star Medal]].<ref name="HallOfValor">{{Cite web |title=Jarrett J. Robertson |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/85694 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Hall of Valor |publisher=[[Sightline Media Group]]}}</ref> |
On November 9, 1968, Robertson was ordered to take command of Troop B, 1st Squadron, [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]], when its commander was killed in action. His leadership of these 400 soldiers earned him a [[Silver Star Medal]].<ref name="HallOfValor">{{Cite web |title=Jarrett J. Robertson |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/85694 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Hall of Valor |publisher=[[Sightline Media Group]]}}</ref> |
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[[File:Eisenhower Hall - October 2012.jpg|alt=A large red brick multi-story building sits behind a lake on a mostly clear day.|thumb|Eisenhower Hall, home to the [[Combined Arms Research Library]], where Robertson would have studied during his time at [[CGSC]].]] |
[[File:Eisenhower Hall - October 2012.jpg|alt=A large red brick multi-story building sits behind a lake on a mostly clear day.|thumb|Eisenhower Hall, home to the [[Combined Arms Research Library]], where Robertson would have studied during his time at [[CGSC]].|left]] |
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After this tour in Vietnam, Robertson attended the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]] (CGSC) at [[Fort Leavenworth, Kansas]].<ref name="Ledbetter2022" /> |
After this tour in Vietnam, Robertson attended the [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]] (CGSC) at [[Fort Leavenworth, Kansas]].<ref name="Ledbetter2022" /> |
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Revision as of 14:10, 13 July 2024
Jarrett Jackson Robertson | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Desert Fox |
| Born | September 3, 1940 Springfield, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | February 23, 1993 (aged 52) Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany |
| Cause of death | Helicopter crash |
| Buried | Lutie Cemetery, Theodosia, Missouri, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | Army |
| Rank | Major general |
| Alma mater | |
Jarrett Jackson Robertson (September 3, 1940 – February 23, 1993) was a major general in the United States Army.
Early life and education
Robertson was born on September 3, 1940, in Springfield, Missouri.[1][2] After graduating from Gainesville High School, Robertson attended Southwest Missouri State University, joining their theatre program and later completing his two years of mandatory ROTC involvement.[3]
In 1971, Robertson earned a Master of Science degree in history at the University of Missouri.[4]
Military career
Robertson began his service in the Regular Army on July 8, 1963,[2] commissioned through ROTC. He joined because of the advice of a sergeant who spoke to him after his two years of ROTC, saying "You're going to face the draft anyway, so if you have to be in the Army you might as well be an officer."[5]
His first assignment was at Fort Carson, Colorado. In 1965, Robertson was assigned to Vietnam, where he was an advisor to the People's Army of Vietnam.[4][5]
In 1966, Robertson received a year of officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia. During that year, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on July 8, 1966, and to the rank of captain on August 17, 1966.[2] He then returned for a second tour in Vietnam.[4]
On November 9, 1968, Robertson was ordered to take command of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, when its commander was killed in action. His leadership of these 400 soldiers earned him a Silver Star Medal.[6]
After this tour in Vietnam, Robertson attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.[4]
By 1974, Robertson was a major serving at Fort Leavenworth.[4]
From 1980 to 1982, he commanded the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Bliss, Texas.[7]
Sometime later, he commanded the the opposing force at the Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), a unit trained in Soviet military tactics to test other units' tactical abilities.[5]
From July 2, 1987, until 1989, Robertson commanded the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment as its 62nd colonel.[8] During this time, he led the unit in its 14-day visit to the Fort Irwin NTC.[5] When he left Fort Bliss, about 5,000 soldiers attended the ceremony, where post commander Donald Infante gave him the nickname "Desert Fox," comparing his skills to those of German field marshal Erwin Rommel, who held the same nickname.[4]
Robertson was then assigned to Schweinfurt, Germany, where he served as the assistant commander of the 3rd Infantry Division. At some point, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general, and later to the rank of major general.[4]
From November 1990 to May 1991, he served as the deputy commanding general of the 1st Armored Division during the Gulf War.[7]
In June 1991, General Frederick M. Franks Jr. selected Robertson to serve as the chief of staff of the VII Corps.[4]
In 1993, Robertson started as the deputy commanding general of V Corps, a position he held until his death the same year.[9][10]
Awards and decorations
Robertson received the following awards for his military service:[4]
|
Combat Infantry Badge |
|
Silver Star Medal[a] |
  |
Legion of Merit with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
 |
Bronze Star Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
|
Meritorious Service Medal |
|
Air Medal |
|
Army Commendation Medal |
|
Army Achievement Medal |
Death
Robertson died at the age of 52 on February 23, 1993, in the crash of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter near Wiesbaden, Germany.[3] Returning from a meeting at the United States European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, the helicopter crashed while attempting to land at Wiesbaden Air Base.[11] It hit a concrete apron near the air base's control tower and burst into flames.[9] Four service members, including Robertson, died in the crash, and four others were hospitalized with burns.[12][13]
A funeral for Robinson was held at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, and he was buried at Lutie Cemetery in Theodosia, Missouri.[4]
Investigation and lawsuit
United Technologies Corporation (UTC)'s subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft created a fuel system that held two 230-US-gallon (870 L; 190 imp gal) tanks on the helicopter's sides. The crash is believed to have occurred because the fuel in these tanks was imbalanced.[14]
In 2002, the pilot and other surviving service members from the crash, along with the deceased officers' widows, filed a negligence and product liability lawsuit against UTC. After 11 days of trial, the jury sided against UTC and awarded $22.9 million (approximately $39 million today) in damages.[4][14]
Legacy
The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment dedicated a remodeled conference room to Robertson in July 1994.[8]
In August 1994, Southwest Missouri State University dedicated a new 43-foot-1+1⁄2-inch (13.145 m) rappelling tower for their ROTC program to Robertson.[10]
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On October 13, 1995, the house at 231 Sheridan Rd on Fort Bliss, Texas, was dedicated to Robertson and named the Robertson House.[7][15]
Notes
- ^ Some sources say Robertson received two Silver Star awards (i.e. one bronze oak leaf cluster),[4][5] while other sources only describe him receiving one Silver Star.[1][6]
References
- ^ a b "MSU ROTC Hall of Fame". Missouri State University. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c U.S. Army Register: Regular Army Active List. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: United States War Office. January 1, 1969. p. 349. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via Fold3.
- ^ a b Peterson, Jan (February 25, 1993). "Son's Death Becomes Biggest Battle for Mom". The Springfield News-Leader. pp. 1A, 6A. Retrieved July 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Ledbetter, Kitty (November 10, 2022). "Remembering 'Superb Soldier' Maj. Gen. Jarrett Jackson Robertson". Ozark County Times. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Conley, Jim (July 12, 1987). "Cavalry Has New Leader". El Paso Times. p. 3B. Retrieved July 13, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Jarrett J. Robertson". Hall of Valor. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c Robertson House (Plaque). Fort Bliss, Texas. October 13, 1995. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via Wikimedia Commons.
- ^ a b "Cavalry Ceremony". El Paso Times. July 26, 1994. p. 1B. Retrieved July 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Army's Death Toll From Copter Crash Includes Commander, Top Aides". The Salt Lake Tribune. Bonn, Germany. The Washington Post. February 25, 1993. p. A3. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Bodenhausen, Kerry G. (August 26, 1994). "Tower Stands Tall in Memory of SMS Graduate". The Springfield News-Leader. p. 2B. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Crash Victims Named". Newsday (Suffolk ed.). p. 14. Retrieved July 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Mountcastle, Clay. "A Call from Home, A Loss Hits Home". Virginia War Memorial. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ "Copter Victims Are Identified". New York Daily News. Germany. February 25, 1993. p. 14. Retrieved July 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Bradford, Michael (March 31, 2002). "Defense Contractor Liable in Chopper Crash". Business Insurance. New York. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ Quarters 231: Robertson House (Plaque). Fort Bliss, Texas. Retrieved July 12, 2024 – via Wikimedia Commons.
External links
Media related to Jarrett Robertson at Wikimedia Commons
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- 1940 births
- 1993 deaths
- Missouri State University alumni
- University of Missouri alumni
- 20th-century United States Army personnel
- United States Army generals
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Victims of helicopter accidents or incidents
- Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Germany
- Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1993