9/10/2003
SSG Joseph E. Robsky, Jr. was killed on 10 September 2003. SSG Robsky was assigned to the 759th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 3rd Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 52ndOrdnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). SSG Robsky was called to neutralize an improvised explosive device that consisted of a mortar round in Bagdad, Iraq. His first attempt failed and when SSG Robsky returned to the site to render it safe the device detonated. SSG Robsky was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
*This bio was researched and authored by SGM Mike R.Vining, USA (Retired). Please send any additional information and/or corrections to the author of this bio by email: sgmmvining@gmail.com. The EOD Wounded Warrior Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy of the information in bio.
I served in the 2-5 Cav with Robsky. We went to Bosnia together. He was on his second career after the Marine Corps. He was a rock. Always walking around in those silly wrestling shoes. A total badass who always put us young bucks in our place and did right by steering us in the right direction. He was a good man. I believe Carmen was his love and I think (20yrs past our last engagement) I think there was a “little Joe”. I hope they see this post and know Robsky made a difference in my life
Thank you for your kind words about Joey. He truly knew how to live life to the fullest and had an impact on those he met. He was very excited to be an uncle and could not wait to meet his twin nephew and niece when he returned from Iraq. I do wish I had a nephew but that was not Gods plan. Your mention of his wrestling shoes made us laugh, thank you. Interestingly enough those wrestling shoes live on as his nephew is now a college wrestler.
Joe was in NAVSCOLEOD class 00-090S back in the year 2000. He was by far the best student in the class. I don’t think he failed a single test and he made it all the way through without rolling back at all, he was one of only 3 out of 17 starting students who didn’t roll back for having failed 2 practical exams in a row. He graduated top of the class, aka distinguished graduate. And he was always helping other students who were struggling or needing any help. When we’d all go out on the weekends and if there was any kind of trouble, Joe was the first to respond to the incident, at the ready to help his buddies. He was a beast of a weightlifter and very strong. He was a true gentleman to everyone in the school, the class, and in life in general.
I think of guys like Joe on Memorial Day, the ones who didn’t come home, the ones who gave all. Thank you, Joe. The world misses men like you.
Joe was a workout buddy of mine in the 759 EOD back in the day. He was into power lifting and it would take a couple of us to help him squeeze into the skin tight power lifting suit. I always smile a little bit when I remember it. Gone but not forgotten.