Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sergeant (SGT) Robert Easley, Jr.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 5, 2018
1. Sergeant (SGT) Robert Easley, Jr. Marker
Sergeant (SGT) Robert Easley, Jr. was severely wounded in action on October 15, 2012, while conducting operations in southern Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). While out on foot patrol, SCT Easley stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). SGT Easley lost both legs, making him a bilateral, above knee amputee. He also sustained multiple injuries to his right hand, which included a sliced tendon in his pinky, as well as larger wounds on both sides. Partial amputations of his pointer, middle and index fingers resulted.
As an infantryman in the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division, he deployed to Iraq for fourteen months as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2008-2009. Shortly after his first tour, he attended a yearlong school to become an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Technician. He deployed to Afghanistan in January, 2012 with the 787th EOD Company, which was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.
SGT Easley is currently receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and will remain there until fully recovered.
I followed a staff sergeant into a drainage ditch looking for an IED. I took one step, heard the boom, and had a mouth full of dirt. I was on the ground in shock, with the most intense pain
this page online
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, 2nd Iraq. A significant historical date for this entry is October 15, 2012.
Location. 40° 12.454′ N, 77° 9.521′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. The marker is on the Army Heritage Trail on the grounds of the U.S. Army Heritage and Educational Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 231 Army Heritage Dr, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) (here, next to this marker); HESCO at Home (within shouting distance of this marker); HESCO in Iraq (within shouting distance of this marker); HESCO in Afghanistan (within shouting distance of this marker); HESCO Barriers (within shouting distance of this marker); Specialist (SPC) Charles Posey III (within shouting distance of this marker); The Trenches (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aid Station (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 5, 2018
2. Sergeant (SGT) Robert Easley, Jr. Marker
The marker is on the far left.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 5, 2018
3. Insert
Caption: SGT Easley at Combat Outpost (COP) Mushan in Afghanistan, June 2012.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 5, 2018
4. Insert
Caption: In his apartment at Walter Reed National Military Center, SGT Easley holds a wooden replica of a Purple Heart, given to him by a supporter.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 388 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 10, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
