Chosin family honors fallen brothers

Pfc. Nicholas Armstrong (left), who spoke on behalf of Cpl. Fernando D. Robinson, and 1st Sgt. David M. Combs of A Company, 1st Bn., 32nd Inf. Rgt., Task Force Spartan, salute memorials dedicated to their fallen comrades during a ceremony Monday on Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Michael Pintagro

JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Chosin infantrymen based throughout northeastern Afghanistan converged Monday on Jalalabad to say goodbye to two fallen brothers-in-arms.

Some 200 mourners, primarily Chosin Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Spartan, attended an emotionally charged ceremony in honor of Cpl. Fernando D. Robinson and Cpl. Angelo J. Vaccaro.

Robinson, an automatic rifleman with 3rd Platoon, A Company, 1-32 Infantry, and Vaccaro, a line medic assigned to the same unit, died Oct. 2 during a ground extraction in the Korengal Valley of Kunar Province.

An official party headed by Col. John Nicholson, Spartan commander; Maj. Tom Gukeisen, battalion executive officer; Maj. Charlie Reynolds, task force chaplain; and Command Sgt. Maj. James Carabello, Chosin Battalion command sergeant major, joined the solemn service.

Mourners assembled in a large tent adjacent to Chosin headquarters. Some of the toughest fighters in 10th Mountain Division (LI) wept openly as they reflected on the lives of their fallen brothers-in-arms.

Gukeisen and 1st Sgt. David M. Combs, A Company first sergeant, gave remarks after an invocation by Reynolds.

Combs recounted his fondest and most amusing memories of the fallen men and colorful anecdotes illustrating their habits and personalities.

Reynolds devoted his remarks to weighty issues of faith, history, philosophy and the nation’s struggle against terrorism.

“Cpl. Fernando Robinson and Cpl. Angelo Vaccaro willingly gave their lives so that others may experience freedom and peace from the fear of terror,” he said. “In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, ‘greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.’ Cpl. Robinson and Cpl. Vaccaro not only gave their lives for their country, they lay down their lives for their friends.

“Life is not about how long you live, but how you live in the time that you are given,” the Spartan chaplain added. “The family and friends of Cpl. Robinson and Cpl. Vaccaro can be proud of the way that they lived the life that they were given.”

Remarks from friends evoked intense emotions.
Friends described Robinson, a 21-year-old native of Hawthorn, Calif., as a warm, kind-hearted young man who cared a great deal for his fellow Soldiers and very little for physical fitness training.

Pfc. Nicholas Armstrong, a fellow rifleman who spoke on behalf of Robinson, called his fallen comrade “a brother” whose sacrifice transformed his life. He also urged battalion Soldiers to vindicate his friend’s sacrifice by accomplishing the mission for which he gave his life.

“Cpl. Robinson left his family and his fiancée to fight for the freedoms we have to this day,” he said. “The people of America will not know of Cpl. Robinson’s sacrifice for them. But you who sit here, my fellow Soldiers, do. And that is why we must fight harder together: because we owe it to him and the others (who fell) before him.”

Speaking on behalf of Vaccaro, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Mack read a note provided by the fallen Soldier’s roommate.

“Angelo Joseph Vaccaro was my brother,” the letter read. “He was just that to a lot of people here right now. ‘Angie’ was the Soldier’s Soldier, a born leader; and if you had any professional interactions with him, I’m sure you’d agree wholeheartedly. He was hands down the best medic I’ve ever worked with, and the potential he had was frightening.

“He loved his job. He loved his ‘guys.’ He loved his family.”

The letter told of the 23-year-old medic’s antics, habits and manners. It told of a charismatic, talented medical professional and a young family man who loved his wife and parents.

“As his best friend, in his place I ask that we all remember him and pray for his family,” the letter concluded. “I ask that we honor him, and tell stories every day so we can keep him in our hearts and minds. He will be missed; he won’t be replaced. And he never will be forgotten.”

“Cpl. Vaccaro was an exceptional combat medical Soldier,” added Mack, who also worked closely with the medic, “and I, as everyone else, will miss him. His hard work and dedication was infectious to the section and all Soldiers that he interacted with. He always displayed excellence.”

The ceremony culminated in the traditional last roll, the playing of taps and a gun salute fired outside the tent. Recorded bagpipes intoned “Amazing Grace” as mourners filed past memorials composed of the fallen Soldiers’ rifles, helmets, boots and “dog tags.” A medical kit lay alongside Vaccaro’s effects.

Chosin troops filed reverently past the memorials. Some grasped the dog tags or touched the helmets, while others prayed and many cried. Each stopped, assumed the position of attention and rendered a slow, respectful salute.

Leaders greeted Soldiers as they emerged from the tent. Some chatted briefly or expressed condolences. Others embraced, sharing their pain and grief as well as their grim determination to carry out the mission for which their brothers surrendered their lives.

Robinson’s platoon fell under enemy attack Oct. 2 as it patrolled the village of Dhaklbark in the Korengal Valley. At first, the platoon took sporadic sniper fire. A three-to five-man insurgent element later ambushed the 3rd Platoon Soldiers from about 50 meters away. Robinson died while engaging the enemy in the Korengal.

Learning of trouble in the Korengal and casualties within the platoon, Vaccaro immediately volunteered to go to the site of the firefight and aid wounded Soldiers. He died during the subsequent extraction.