Congressman Joe Donnelly took a few minutes to talk on the House floor about Robert Tauteris, Jr., of Hamlet, who died while serving his country in Afghanistan.
Robert’s two sons, Robert J. Tauteris III and Mathew, plus his daughter-in-law, Kayla, watched his speech from the gallery in the House chamber.
Tauteris had already served one tour in Afghanistan with the National Guard, when he volunteered for his second deployment after his son, Robert Tauteris III, enlisted. They left together for Afghanistan in the fall of 2011, and after Robert’s death, Robert J. III accompanied his father’s body home to Dover Air Force Base.
Donnelly stated, “We owe Specialist Robert J. Tauteris, Jr. a debt of gratitude for his service and sacrifice. Our hearts go out to his family and friends as they mourn his passing and continue to honor the life he led.”
Robert died along with three of his fellow soldiers on January 5th, 2012 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when their vehicle was hit by a roadside improvised explosive device as they scouted for bombs and potential problems along a major supply route.
Tauteris received many posthumous awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He also earned the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with the Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, and the Overseas Service Bar.
To watch Donnelly’s speech, click here.
