ROB GUZZO JR; Navy SEAL

Rob JR. in Iraq

Sad, terrible news . . . Ex-Navy SEAL Rob Guzzo Jr. died Sunday night, November 11, 2012, on Veterans Day.

We’ve written about Rob Jr., and his Navy SEAL veteran dad Bob Sr., in several of our posts.

Rob JR. was a member of the physical education fraternity Beta Phi Epsilon at Cortland State (NY).  His dad had also been a member; I remember when Bob SR. pledged.

On the day of the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, Rob called his father from the Beta house saying that he wanted to join the Navy SEALS to personally engage in this fight against terrorism.

“I’d been through it myself,” Bob recalled, “He’s my son, and I was concerned about him getting involved.  There’s no guarantee when you go in that you’ll come out alive.  But I supported his decision.”

When Rob JR. finished Special OPs training he was awarded his father’s TRIDENT, the first medal Navy SEALS receive upon graduation.  He entered into combat in Ramadi, Iraq where he lost his good buddy, Marc Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in the Iraq War.

After a distinguished and lengthy combat record in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rob JR. gave up his commission in Navy SEAL Team Five to begin a career in action movies  Here’s a partial list of his credits on the big screen and television . . . you may have seen him in one of these films.

Film
*Role- Zimmerman on Lennox’s Team, Transformers 3

TV
*Role- Bravo Team Member 2, tru TV’s Crises, Dir. Tom DeSanto
*Role- Direct TV Commercial, Iwo Jima

Web Series:
*Role- Petty Officer Henderson, www.UniversalDead.com, now a featured film.
*Role- Soccer Hooligan, short film “For the Cup” sponsored by Upper Deck.

Short Film:
*Role- “Boom Operator,” Indie comedy, I’m a Human Directional
*Role- Jerk Boyfriend, Music Video “Obsession” by band Hypnotic Odyssey

But Rob didn’t come home from his combat missions completely unscathed.  Although often silent, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be as deadly as enemy gunfire.

For this site, and for all the members of Beta Phi Epsilon, our thoughts and prayers today are with Bob SR. and his family.  And may his son, this fallen American warrior, now rest in peace.

(Remembering the good times . . . Rob JR. and his dad, Bob SR.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Ed Note 11/16:  From the Rob Guzzo Memorial Page  on Facebook — a beautiful, heart-breaking musical scrapbook on Rob JR.)

(Ed Note 11/22:  There will be a memorial get-together for Rob JR. on Sunday 11/25, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, at The Brick Alley Pub, 140 Thames Street, Newport RI.  The gathering is open to the public; many of Rob’s Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity bros will be there.  Brick Alley Pub is owned by Matt Plumb’s family; Matt played Varsity football with Rob JR. at Portsmouth High.)   

(The Brick Alley Pub, Newport RI)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Ed Note 1/12/13:  Some of you have asked how Rob died.  Click the picture below for a video on the tragic story from The Washington Post.  Click the highlighted letters for another report about it in The New York Daily News.)

Rob in Iraq

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39 Responses to ROB GUZZO JR; Navy SEAL

  1. Brenda Bowley Nelson says:

    My deepest sympathies to the Guzzo Family. I went to school with Rob, although I did not know him well. I hope he can now rest in peace. It is truly a tragedy when the world looses a HERO.

  2. Llylak says:

    I am sorry to hear about your friend. It is sad when even those who return still struggle. My thoughts and condolences to his family.

  3. DAbertini says:

    I remember him from your posts he seemed like a stand up guy. Pretty rough to make it through a war then this. All of us should thank guys like him.

  4. RJ Berger says:

    I did not know Rob…However…my son did… I came to this article after hearing of his passing….I am so very sorry to Rob’s family and for their loss….My son thought very highly of him and my heart aches for all….He was a Hero…I just would like everyone to remember how these soldiers are angels among us who allow us to live here freely….Rest in Peace and may God Bless You Always….

  5. JT says:

    I am deeply sorry to hear of his death. It is awful that many vets of middle east wars have come home with PSTD and too many have ended up committing suicide compared to all our previous wars, with the most vulnerable being the real hero’s. Our government should be doing much more to help veterans overall: Jobs, Income, Housing and Education. Just imagine being under stress 24/7 with your adrenaline full on the whole time worrying about the life’s of your friends and yourself, and then coming home to a peaceful environment without support to forget the nightmares you somehow survived. My deepest sympathies to his family. I’m sure he was loved and will be missed.

  6. Austin Randolph says:

    Rest in peace Rob….Your work is done…I’ll carry your torch….212 TCB

  7. chris burrows says:

    RIP Guzzo, you will be missed! 212

  8. Matt Mathias says:

    Fair winds and following seas Rob. May you find peace

  9. ME says:

    Rip brother 212 TCB

  10. A Frost says:

    Wow. So, so sorry to hear about this loss. The name “Guzzo” is very familiar to me as my husband went to college with Rob. He always spoke fondly of him, telling funny stories about capers they were involved in back in Cortland. This is such a shock, my condolences to the Guzzo family. May God comfort you all at this very difficult time.

  11. Toni says:

    RIP Guzzo. Love you always!

    PS. Sunday, the day he passed, was Veteran’s Day….it was celebrated on Monday.

  12. Littlefield-Durant Family says:

    May your sails be full of wind Sailor. We all will miss you and the world will be empty without you Guzzo.

  13. Jason Colon says:

    This is a hard one to deal with. Would give anything to be back on the field at Portsmouth High School

  14. Starbucks8294 says:

    Rest in peace, brave soldier.

  15. mark albrechta says:

    R.I.P. YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, YOUNG GUZZO, 2-1-2 NICK WILL BE THERE, ON THE OTHER SIDE, GODS SPEED. BIG GUZZO, THE FAMILY IS SAYING PRAYERS, ESPECIALLY MOM AND DAD, THEY REMEMBER YOU COMING TO NICKS WAKE AND SEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHYS.

  16. MikeQ says:

    Mark: The first thing I thought of when I got your message about Rob Jr was how close this still was to your loss of your own son, Nick. Two great men, you and Bob Sr, dealing with the loss of their oldest boys. My prayers are with Bob, in this time of immediate loss, and my heart goes out to the both of you … two amazing young men have been taken far too early. 212, bro.

  17. Colleen says:

    I am sorry for your and Rob, Sr.’s loss. I can’t imagine how he feels.

  18. Nick Pantaleone says:

    I sought my soul,
    But my soul I could not see
    I sought my God,
    But my god eluded me.
    I sought my brother,
    And I found all three.

    R.I.P. Hawk
    In Brotherhood…
    Creepy
    2-1-2
    TCB

  19. Case says:

    That’s a sad story, being told too often when they come back. God Bless our military.

  20. Debbie Lee says:

    My heart aches for the loss of another SEAL and “adopted son.” My prayers are for the Guzzo family. There is comfort knowing my son, Marc Lee, was there to greet him. I miss them both.

    MommaLee

    • MikeQ says:

      Debbie: I know Rob JR. and your son were close friends as well as fellow warriors, comrades-in-arms. When I spoke with Rob over the phone, he made sure that I knew their camp in Iraq — Camp Ramadi — was renamed “Camp Ramadi-Lee” in your son’s honor. I am so sorry for your loss, but I have thank you for your comments, and for the link in your name which lead me to your son’s last letter home. I hope you won’t mind if I link it here for others … http://www.americasmightywarriors.org/last-letter.html . It is truly amazing, as I would have expected from Marc after talking with Rob.

      My deepest sympathies, Debbie. I’m sure you’re right … Marc was there to greet Rob in peace.

    • A Litany of Remembrance
      Roland B. Gittelsohn

      In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
      We remember them.

      In the opening buds and in the rebirth of spring,
      We remember them.

      In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
      We remember them.

      In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
      We remember them.

      In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
      We remember them.

      When we are weary and in need of strength,
      We remember them.

      When we are lost and are sick of heart,
      We remember them.

      When we have Joys we yearn to share,
      We remember them.

      So long as we live, they too shall live,
      For they are now a part of us,
      As we remember them.

  21. Susan P says:

    You made me cry with that picture of a father and a son taken from him….my sincerest condolences to his father and his family.

  22. Kieran Boyle says:

    My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the entire Guzzo family. He was a close friend of mine in college and one of the most loyal and dependable guys I will ever come across. He will be truly missed.

  23. Mike says:

    Sorry he has left, and Peace on his family. Be with your brothers, and join His Team. Hooyah sir. rip. (BJO 173 KIA 5/29/04)

  24. Connie Guzzo-Laurence says:

    Robert Jr, cousin, you know you are in my heart felt prayers for your entire family. May you find comfort in the Lord.

  25. Kat Weber/Barry says:

    He was like an Uncle to me. He was always happy and cheered us all up when he came over. My dad, Brandon, grew up with him. We were all didn’t know how to react. We felt nothing. Just emptiness. I miss that bundle of joy. Such a good hearted man. I prayed for him. Rest In Peace Rob.

  26. Dz says:

    You’re a funny guy Rob. Your spirit will live on with all who knew you. Beers, Broads and Funny shirtless Pictures… You Rock Bro… You fken Rock. Dz…. Teammate, Frogman, Friend. RIP lvya man

  27. Vicki Spaulding Santerre says:

    I was so shocked to hear about Rob. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

  28. Mark Adams says:

    Oh .. I remember meeting him in San Diego once. So Sad RIP Warrior.

    Can anyone enlighten me on the circumstances of his untimely death ?

    Thanks,

    Mark

  29. MW says:

    I met Guzzo and became fast friends with him. Stand up man, great friend, great SEAL. Funny, personable and would give you the shirt off his back. Fair winds and following seas my friend. You are missed.

    RIP

    Raise one for the few…damn few

  30. Joe Deehan says:

    I didn’t have the honor of meeting Rob. However, this article very clearly summarized his heroism and incredible commitment to our great country and the freedoms we enjoy as citizens. I pray that the Lord provides the peace and comfort that only He can give to the Guzzo family during this time of loss.

  31. J. Rit says:

    Guzzo was my roommate in training, he is a good guy, hands down, always will be. Marc and Rob are hanging out right now in heaven. Guzzo you will be missed bro.

  32. Dana O says:

    To my bestfriend, from C-State to Iraq to SD… I will forever miss you. You were the rock in my life when all else was unstable, you helped me through some of the crappiest days and some horrible losses. You have taken a piece of my heart with you, carry it safely my friend until we meet again.

  33. Brenda Cheney GSM of Ssgt. A.L. Goodwin, U.S.M.C. says:

    Rest In Peace Navy Seal. Your service will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. My Prayers go out to Robs family; please know that your HERO serves in Gods military and he will be FOREVER watching over you and guiding you until you meet again.

  34. Ron says:

    RIP ROB. Thank you for your Service and your Sacrifice. God Bless you and your Family. I have been down that dark road. Although I didn’t know you, I feel a Military Bond. Your experience shows that anyone in the Military does not only suffer from time and distance from family or being eye witness to things no one should see or experience we suffer from our own personal battles between our ears. I am sure your spirit watches over your Family and the ones close to you.

  35. Dennis J Smith says:

    I just watch your story on the History Channel it’s been 4 yrs since your passing my heart goes out to your family and your daughter. RIP my brother.

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