Robert Richard McRill dies 'as a result of enemy action while conducting combat operations'

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert R. McRill, 42, of Lake Placid, Fla. was killed by an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad July 7, according to Navy officials.

McRill enlisted in the Navy March 5, 1991, and graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., in May before reporting to Naval Air Technical Training Center. He then spent three years at Naval Air Station Dallas, and reported to the Defense Photo School in Pensacola, Fla. McRill was aboard USS John C. Stennis from June to November of 1995, had a brief tour at Visual Support Unit, Oceana, before serving aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, homeported in Norfolk, from November 1996 to January 2002. He reported to another aircraft carrier, USS Eisenhower, also home-ported in Norfolk, where he was promoted to first class petty officer. He was then assigned to Naval Expeditionary Combat Command Detachment, Combat Camera Atlantic from February 2004 to April 2007 when he arrived at Naval Special Warfare Group Two, accorrding to a biography provided by the Navy.

His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), NavyRibbon, Good Conduct Medal (4 awards), Kosovo Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment ribbon (3 awards), Rifleman (Marksman) ribbon and Pistol Shot (Marksman) ribbon. He was also an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist.

McRill is survived by his wife and three children.

From WTKR 3