Heath M. Robinson
Special Warfare Operator, United States Navy
June 5, 1977 – August 6, 2011
Age – 34
Petoskey, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom
Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, VA
Died when insurgents shot down a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, call Extortion 17, the greatest single incident loss in Naval Special Warfare history.
Extortion 17 Crash – The call sign for the Chinook was “Extortion 17”. The crash occurred in Tangi Joi Zareen, in the district of Sayd Abad in Wardak Province after it was struck by an RPG. A/C was on an IRF mission to assist members of the 75th Rangers engaged in a fierce firefight. The 38 lives lost in the crash included 30 US military. This included 15 Navy SEALs from SEAL Team Six, the unit responsible for the operation that killed Osama Bin Laden. This August 6th crash is considered the worst loss of US Military life in a single incident in the decade-long war in Afghanistan that began in 2001. There is a group burial for comingled remains of the crash at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60 Site 9938.
Heath Robinson was born on June 5, 1977, in Detroit, Michigan. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on November 30, 1995, and went on active duty to begin basic training on January 24, 1996. After completing basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in March 1996, he completed additional training at the Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, at Dam Neck, Virginia, from March to July 1996. Petty Officer Robinson next attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at NAB Coronado, California, from July 1996 to April 1997, but did not complete the course. He served with Amphibious Group ONE on Okinawa, from June 1997 to May 1999, and was then given a second chance at SEAL training from June 1999 to January 2000, and Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, during January 2000. Petty Officer Robinson served with SEAL Team THREE at NAB Coronado from March 2000 to April 2002, and then with SEAL Team SEVEN at NAB Coronado from April 2002 to April 2004. His final assignment was with Naval Special Warfare Development Group at Dam Neck, Virginia, from April 2004 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. Senior Chief Robinson deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom multiple times. He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom multiple times. Heath Robinson was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Heath Robinson was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards including four Bronze Star Medals, three with ‘V’ for valor; Joint Service Commendation Medal; three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two with ‘V’ for valor; Joint Service Achievement Medal; three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; Combat Action Ribbon; two Presidential Unit Citations; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; five Navy Good Conduct Medals; Navy Fleet Marine Force Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; two Afghanistan Campaign Medals; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; six Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; NATO Medal; Navy Expert Rifleman Medal and Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal.
His 4th (of 5) Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:
For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as an Assault Team Member while assigned to a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 17 March 2010. Chief Robinson was part of a ground force element that executed a daring nighttime raid against a heavily armed Taliban commander. While attempting to engage a barricaded fighter hidden inside the target building, one of his teammates was struck and mortally wounded by enemy fire, causing the teammate to fall directly in front of the barricaded enemy position. With complete disregard for his own safety, Chief Robinson immediately leapt over a wall into the courtyard and maneuvered through the enemy fire, directly towards his fallen comrade. At point blank range, Chief Robinson held his ground as he engaged the enemy with fragmentation grenades and lifesaving covering fire enabling his teammates to move the mortally wounded assaulter to safety. Following the extraction of his mortally wounded teammate, Chief Robinson remained exposed inside the compound as he climbed back on top of the wall to provide overwatch for the assault force. His bravery, during intense combat operations, is an inspiration to all who serve with him. Chief Robinson’s bold leadership, undaunted courage, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.