From: Beckmann Scott TSgt 375th SFS/SFTC
Mr. Poss,
First I would like to commend you on remembering so many fallen heroes
in my current career field.
I would like to introduce myself, I am TSgt Scott V. Beckmann and I am
currently stationed at Scott AFB, IL. Several years ago I was deployed
to Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia in support of the terrorist bombing. I was the squad
leader for the first 13 person relief team that was dispatched during
the aftermath of the incident. We arrived in country the evening after
the bombing and my unit was dispatched to augment threatcon posting and
assist in recovery of evidence with the FBI.
One of the members of my squad was an individual who was on his first
deployment since enlisting. His name was A1C Roberto N. D'Amato. A1C
D'Amato was an Italian immigrant that had (only recently) received his
green card and was able to deploy. A1C D'Amato performed in an
outstanding fashion during the deployment and was lauded by senior staff
personnel on his drive and dedication to the mission. He was a true
hard charger who set the standard for others to follow.
When Khobar Towers was vacated and the AF staff re-deployed to other
regions in Saudi Arabia. My team worked the last full 12 hour mid shift
with redeployment orders coming early in the morning. This left us only
enough time to gather personal effects and head for the C-130's. My
team was sent to Prince Sultan Air Base to await transport to McConnell AFB,
KS where we were currently stationed. Upon arrival at Prince Sultan, we
were marshaled and held in a collection area until a decision was made as to our future in Saudi Arabia (we had already been gone in excess
of our original 90 day window).
After and estimated 36 hours without sleep, my team was given an order
to place all our baggage on two, two and a half ton trucks and all
personnel mount up in buses which were going to take us to "tent city."
As the command was given to roll out, nobody noticed A1C D'Amato on the
baggage truck still securing baggage. As the baggage truck made a low
speed turn onto the access road, the load of the vehicle shifted
hurtling luggage and A1C D'Amato over 20 feet to the tarmac. A1C
Roberto D'Amato struck the ground roughly around the base of his skull
and instantly went into convulsions. Myself and SSgt Jay Nelson (also
from my team) were the first to arrive on scene and rendered first aid.
D'Amato was awake but distant. We could tell his injuries were severe
but neither myself or Nelson had the training to recognize all his
symptoms. Para Rescue arrived on-scene and took over the CPR. Roberto
D'Amato later lapsed into a coma and was later disconnected from life
support in the presence of his father a few short days later. Roberto's
last words to me were, "I am tired and I want to go home."
I have had a hard time giving this closure. I still talk to members of
his family and exchange stories of this fine soldier.
Could you please honor him and his family by listing his name on your
site?
A1C Roberto N. D'Amato
10 Mar 74 - 4 Oct 96
Age 22, Single, Italian Male
Prince Sultan AB, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (location of death)
Head Trauma resulting from a vehicle accident
Stationed at 22 Security Police Squadron, McConnell AFB, KS
Thank you for your consideration.
V/R
SCOTT V. BECKMANN, TSgt, USAF
NCOIC, Security Forces Armory
Scott AFB, IL
