Robert Lee Alexander was the son of Tom Willis Alexander and Elizabeth Leone Boles. He was married to Patricia Ann Short and father of three children.
He was a graduate of Greeneville High School and a former student of East Tennessee State University. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree at the Military Academy at West Point, N.Y in 1953 and was assigned there as an instructor in the Department of Electricity since August, 1962. He was promoted to Major in July 1963. He graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1966.
He died in the crash of a helicopter. He had been promoted to battalion commander since October 25, 1969 and was aboard the lead helicopter on a mission when his craft exploded and burned shortly after takeoff. Lt Col Alexander is buried at United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York.
Military Data
MOS 1542 Infantry Unit Commander
Length Service 16
Unit HHC, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, USARV
Casualty Data
Start Tour 11 August 1969
Incident Date 31 October 1969
Casualty Date 31 October 1969
Age at Loss 38
Location Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam
Remains Body recovered
Casualty Type Non-hostile, died of other causes
Casualty Reason Helicopter – Noncrew
Casualty Detail Air loss or crash over land
Picture from the School Yearbook, West Point, New York 1953
Vietnam Wall Panel 16W Line 007
- Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Date of birth: 18 January 1931
- Date of death: 31 October 1969
- County: Greene
- Hometown: Greeneville
- Service Branch: Army
- Division/Assignment: 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
- Conflict: Vietnam
- Burial/Memorial Location: United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, NY
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XXII, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Robert L. Alexander
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