Army Sgt. 1st Class Forrest W. Robertson, 35, lost his life Nov. 3 when enemy forces attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire, according to the Department of Defense.

He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart in Georgia.

Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson told The Associated Press Robertson joined the Army in July 1996, and was on his fifth deployment when he was killed. The Department of Defense had awarded Robertson the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

Robertson hailed from Westmoreland, Kan. He was employed at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., as a senior military instructor from 2010 to 2012.

Lt. Col. Christopher Lambert, who chairs the military science department at PCU, told WIBU-TV that Robertson served as a mentor to hundreds of young men and women in the school's ROTC program:

"Robertson will be remembered by us a loving husband and father, a true warrior and an outstanding (non-commissioned officer) and leader. Just as important, he will always remain a proud member of the gorilla battalion."

Robertson is survived by his wife, Marcie, and three daughters.

Loved ones have set up a Facebook page in Robertson's honor. Click here to view the SFC Forrest Robertson Memorial Page.

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