09/07/2026
PFC Russell Robinson, 22, from Harpers Ferry, IA was killed in combat during Operation Urgent Fury, when the United States intervened on the island of Grenada to protect the lives of US students, restore a democratic government, and eradicate Cuban influence on the island. He was among 19 US Troops killed in the operation.
As an adolescent, Robinson excelled in school, loving his baseball and biking down the streets of Harpers Ferry.
Russ was a voracious reader of military history, a brother and son that was proud of his country and proud of his brief service in the Army. Russ was “very much into protecting his country,” so much so that he could not stand seeing someone else being picked on when he was in school.
Russ was very proud of his dad, Red, a World War II veteran. The loss of Russ has left a huge void in their lives, but [his mother and sisters] share the love and pride of country because Russ would want it that way.
One of the college students studying in Grenada called Russ’ mother sometime after his death and thanked her for the sacrifice that Russ made.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 5, 1982. After completing the Ranger Indoctrination Program he was assigned to Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment where he served as a Radio Telephone Operator. He earned his Jungle Expert Patch during deployment to Panama in June 1983.
He was survived by his mother and sisters
