Robert John Donevski
Specialist, U.S. Army

On 16 January 2010, Specialist Robert John Donevski was serving as an Automatic Rifleman in B Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X.

On that date, an element consisting of 1st Platoon, Baker Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment and 3rd Company, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Kandac, 201st Corps Afghan National Army (ANA) and Embedded Tactical Team (ETT) 7-5 conducted a joint patrol to Darbart village in the Korengal Valley. The purpose of the patrol was to conduct a key leader engagement (KLE) with the elders of Darbart in order to improve relations with the villagers and deny the enemy the use of a crucial southern village in the Korengal Valley. SPC Donevski, a grenadier, was a part of 1st Platoon's lead maneuver element and tasked with providing overwatch for the ANA and ETT elements as they set up near the KLE site in Darbart village. As the patrol moved south along the Allied Staircase, out of Alibad village, the lead element came under accurate and sustained enemy small arms fire from Darbart Village, Laneyal Village, Donga Village, and Honcho Hill. SPC Donevski moved to what little cover he could find on the Staircase and called out the enemy's position in Darbart to the other members of the Platoon within earshot. Ignoring his own personal safety, SPC Donevski moved from his covered position and began accurately engaging the enemy with 40-mm grenades from his M-203, as well as rifle fire from his M-4 carbine to enable the members of his Platoon who were exposed to heavy machine gun fire to move to relative cover in Alibad. SPC Donevski was forced to displace his position when it was struck with withering fire from enemy positions in Darbart and Laneyal villages. SPC Donevski moved to the nearest covered and concealed position at the head of the Alibad Staircase and continued to engage the enemy. His Team Leader inquired about the Platoon's Weapons Squad Leader and, realizing he was still trapped on the Staircase, SPC Donevski again moved from cover and began to suppress the enemy's positions in Darbart and Laneyal with 40-mm grenades. The enemy shifted their fires from the Weapons Squad Leader to SPC Donevski's position, allowing the Soldier to run from his exposed position to cover in Alibad village.

At that time, the Platoon's Radio Operator was hit in the left knee by enemy small arms fire and a net call was put out that the platoon had a casualty. The enemy fire increased, targeting the wounded Soldier and once again, SPC Donevski moved from cover to suppress the enemy and draw their fire away from exposed friendly forces. Once the casualty was safely behind cover and being treated, SPC Donevski's Squad began to maneuver back to the main body of the joint patrol located near the center of Alibad village. As he broke from cover to move with his Fire Team, SPC Donevski was struck multiple times by enemy machine gun fire, fatally wounding him. SPC Donevski had repeatedly ignored his own safety and exposed himself to the enemy to draw their fire away from beleaguered members of his Platoon. SPC Donevski's selfless, valorous actions single-handedly saved the lives of 2 of his "Lethal Warrior" brothers and earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Robert Donevski, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States Army as an Automatic Rifleman in Baker Company, 2d Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Korengal Valley, Afghanistan on 16 January 2010 during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM X. His superior combat knowledge, tireless efforts and dedication to mission success are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Lethal Warrior Battalion, Task Force MOUNTAIN WARRIOR, Combined Joint Task Force-82, and the United States Army.

Burial

Specialist Robert John Donevski is buried at Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary in Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ, in the Garden of the Good Shepherd, 101, B2.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/46904956/robert-john-donevski