Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli

[Team Sergeant]

RELEASE NUMBER: 070816-05
DATE POSTED: AUGUST 16, 2007

PRESS RELEASE: Special Forces Soldier killed in Iraq

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Aug.16, 2007) — An Army Special Forces Soldier was killed in Iraq August 15 when his patrol made contact with the enemy in the Diyala Province.

Staff Sgt. Robert R. Pirelli, 29, a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colo., was fatally wounded by enemy small arms fire during a dismounted attack on an enemy position.

He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Mar. 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula. This was his first deployment to Iraq.

Pirelli, a native of Franklin, Mass., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in December 2003 as an infantryman. After graduating the Special Forces Qualification Course, he was assigned to 3rd Bn., 10th SFG(A) at Fort Carson, Colo., in June 2006.

His awards and decorations include two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Pirelli is survived by his parents, Robert and Nancy Pirelli; brother Shawn, and sister Stacey, of Franklin, Mass.