By Cpl. Jonathon Downs, 3rd Infantry Division.
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — The U.S. Army hosted a commemorative ceremony at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to pay respects to Pvt. Robert D. Booker and Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker, as well as to christen the M10 Booker Combat Vehicle, named in honor of the two soldiers’ sacrifices.
The ceremony also honored the families of Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Booker, who died during World War II, and Distinguished Service Cross recipient Staff Sgt. Booker, who perished due to injuries sustained during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The two families were joined by soldiers from 34th Infantry Division and 3rd Infantry Division, units the two Bookers served in, respectively.
“These men both paid the ultimate price,” said Rev. June Jeffries, the pastor of New Life Baptist Church of Pittsburgh. “So we honor their service, and we honor the families from which they come. This nation is standing at a time where we need to remember that we are more united than we are separated.”
The M10 Booker Combat Vehicle is a small glimpse of the U.S. Army’s ongoing effort to modernize and dominate multi-domain environments and large-scale operations. It provides infantry brigades with overwhelming firepower, while remaining maneuverable enough to keep pace with soldiers in nearly all terrains. However, not even the Army’s most groundbreaking equipment is developed without a deep, reverent look to the past. The vehicle was named for these two soldiers who sacrificed everything for the nation.
The two Booker Families christened the first M10 Booker vehicle, named “Another Episode” in honor of Staff Sgt. Booker’s tank during his second deployment to the Middle East, at the end of the ceremony. Additionally, the 3rd Infantry Division Band performed during the ceremony, rendering honors and respects to the fallen soldiers and their families.
“Soldiers need more than weapons,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Glenn A. Dean III, the program executive officer with Ground Combat Systems. “They need the indomitable will and the boundless confidence that comes from knowing they do not sacrifice needlessly or alone.”
Staff Sgt. Booker, a Detroit native who enlisted in 1987, served under the 3rd Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this period of service, on April 5, 2003, Booker’s unit participated in what is now known as Thunder Run - the armored offensive into Baghdad, Iraq that resulted in the collapse of Sadam Hussein’s rule over the country.
During this attack, Booker’s platoon came under heavy fire from both small-arms and rocket- propelled grenades. At this point, he immediately returned fire and communicated with his team. He was determined to ensure that they reached their objective. Even when the vehicle’s machine gun malfunctioned, he took a prone position atop his tank and returned fire, successfully guarding his platoon’s flank until being fatally wounded after nearly five miles of successful defense. On April 5, 2019, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his selfless, heroic actions in combat.
“There was nobody that was going to penetrate the armor of this noncommissioned officer and harm his crew,” said retired Brigadier General Andrew Hilmes, Booker’s former company commander, during a speech at the ceremony.
Booker served in Kansas, Texas, Germany, Bosnia, Kuwait, Korea, Georgia and Iraq over the course of 16 years. A range at Fort Stewart is named after him.
“Booker was one of those special troops everyone in the unit knew,” said Jim Bell of Fort Knox, Kentucky, Booker’s company commander during Desert Storm. “I was not surprised to learn that he had matured into a fine noncommissioned officer and a superb leader. He touched my life and I’m proud to say I served with him. Booker, you will never be forgotten.”
