7/6/2009
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Second Class Petty Officer (EWS) Tony M. Randolph, U.S. Navy was born in Santa Rosa, California on September 27, 1986 and grew up in Oklahoma. He graduated from Henryetta High School on May 20, 2005. Upon graduation from high school, Tony enlisted in the Navy on September 28, 2005 and completed Basic Training at Naval Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois on December 1, 2005.
Petty Officer Randolph transferred to his first duty station at Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia on January 12, 2006. Tony was selected for the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) program and reassignment to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Panama City, Florida on December 1, 2006 as a student under instruction for EOD Dive School. He continued his instruction
at Navy School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NSEOD), Eglin AFB, Florida where he successfully com- pleted the grueling 10 month program on January 24, 2008. Upon graduation, he was promoted to Third Class Petty Officer. Tony immediately entered follow-on training at the Army’s Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, and EOD Training and Evaluation Unit ONE (EODTEU ONE) in San Diego, California.
Petty Officer Randolph completed EODTEU ONE training on February 29, 2008 and departed for his new duty assignment at EOD Mobile Unit EIGHT. In November 2008, Tony earned his qualification as Naval Basic Parachutist as well as a promotion to Second Class Petty Officer. On March 26, 2009 EOD2 (EWS) Randolph deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. He was assigned to EOD Mobile Unit EIGHT Platoon 8-2-2 as a C-IED Team Member at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lagman in Afghanistan under the 1-4 Infantry and JTF SOUTH (C-IED) operating extensively in the volatile Zabul Province.
Petty Officer Randolph was killed in action on July 6, 2009 during combat operations while supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM near Forward Operating Base Lagman Afghanistan in Zabul Provi- dence.
Tony is survived by his loving parents, Fred and Peggy Sue Randolph, his brothers; Shawn and Rich- ard, and his sisters; Susan and Kelly.