Master Sgt. Robert M. Horrigan

Age: 40
Hometown: Austin, TX
Date of Death: 6/17/2005
Incident Location: Qaim, Iraq
Branch of Military: Army
Rank: Master Sgt.
Unit: Special Operations Command
Unit's Base: Fort Bragg, N.C.


Family-Placed Obituary

Robert was born January 13th, 1965 in Limestone, Maine. Robert graduated in 1984 from Crockett High School in Austin, Texas. He then enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and served in 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment at Ft. Benning, Ga. In 1991 he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, NC. His last assignment was with the United States Army Special Operations Command. Robert had completed tours in Afghanistan and in Iraq. Master Sgt. Horrigan's awards and decorations included the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the 6th award of the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Campaign Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO medal, the Ranger Tab, the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Diver's Badge. Robert was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and the Purple Heart. MSG Robert Horrigan died in Iraq on June 17th, 2005 ("Bringin' it to'em!"). Robert was the best of the best serving his country while protecting everyone's right to life and liberty. This was Robert's fifth and final tour to Iraq and was to return home in July and retire in April 2006. "Every man dies but not every man truly lives..." Robert truly lived -- for family, for nation and for the guys next to him. Robert was an avid outdoorsman and loved turkey and deer hunting, as well as fishing. He was an aspiring Bladesmith and was looking forward to obtaining his Master Smith with the American Bladesmith Society upon his retirement. His knives are cherished by many throughout the world. Robert excelled in all tasks that he pursued. Robert is preceded in death by his father, John P. Horrigan. He is survived by his wife, Denise, daughter, Courtney of Ft. Bragg, N.C., and his mother, Mary Horrigan of Belfast, Maine. He leaves a sister, Lisa Shine of Dayton, Ohio, twin brother, John, of Burnet, Texas, and younger brother, Daniel of Austin. He leaves five nephews, John Matthew Horrigan, Jack Shine, Paul Schwenk, Daniel and Timmy England; along with eight nieces, Karissa Reed, Sarah Brown, Kacey Schwenk; Jenny, Kate and Tori Hassmann and Danielle and Krystal Horrigan who all admired him.

Published in the Austin American-Statesman on 6/24/2005.

For a complete listing of all soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, please visit this link: The Washington Post