DOB/DOD: July 4, 1983 (Manchester, CT) – December 11, 2004; 21 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Varga Road; Ashford
ENLISTMENT: July 26, 2002
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 11B; Infantryman
UNIT: C Company, 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division; Bristol, Connecticut
FAMILY: Born to Thomas D. Sr. (1960-) and Kathleen S. Zwick Hoyt Ouelette (1962-). One brother, Thomas Jr. (1980-). Two sisters, Amber M. (1987-) and Ginger (1988-).
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary), Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ‘M’ device, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Rifle Marksman Badge, and the Combat Infantryman Badge (1st award).
CIRCUMSTANCES: Specialist Hoyt was killed when his armored vehicle struck a bomb in Baghdad. The bomb, planted in the road south of Camp Taji, detonated beneath Hoyt’s Humvee. The blast blew an armored door off and threw him to the road. His platoon was escorting tractor-trailer trucks loaded with confiscated Iraqi ammunition from Camp Taji to another base for destruction.
Graduated from Edwin O. Smith High School; Storrs, Connecticut; Class of 2001.
From FallenHeroesMemorial.com
“Robby, you will always be loved & missed by everyone who knew you! I made a scrapbook of you ever since you died, and to this day, I still add to it. It is filled with articles, stories, and pictures. You have no idea how badly I miss you even though I accept your death. I hope you are proud of me and all that I’ve done. I miss presenting and talking about you all the time, but hopefully, someday soon, I can continue my presentations! You are my forever hero, and no one can change that. I miss going to your grave and talking to you, I cannot wait to go home next from college. Love you forever & always <3”
— Amber Hoyt
“I had been feeling sorry for myself because of the fact I may lose my “dream job” with one of the biggest companies in the world. Then I ran into Robert’s Mom in a Starbucks who I graduated high school with some 27 years ago. I had seen her one other time in those years, and of course, she told me of her Hero son Robert. I had read all the stories about him when he passed but never made the connection to his Mom. What a fool I felt like to be worrying about something as insignificant as a job. Her heart was broken; I could just tell. Now, reading this website, I can see his whole family is heartbroken. When it all comes down to it, this is the reality of war. People are never the same. My message to everyone is don’t ever take for granted what sacrifice families make when we send their boys and girls to go fight for our way of life, our freedom to do and live as we please. It is easy to get into “we should or shouldn’t” be somewhere or who is right or wrong argument. If it brings any comfort to Robert’s Mom and family, there are many people who consider your son or brother the ultimate Hero, and all I can say is thank you.”
— Mark of Vernon CT USA
“My heart goes out to Rob’s family and friends — still — two years since he died. He was quiet, strong, independent, and had a formidable intelligence. He also had a fantastic sense of humor. I loved his senior English class, but he was the star. We read the Vietnam War novel The Things They Carried, and he had great insights about courage, about the causes of war, and about the use and abuse of power. He left this world too soon, but not before inspiring us, I think, to do the best we can by each other.”
— Jon Andersen of Storrs, CT USA
From The Hartford Courant on December 19, 2004
Robert William Hoyt, 21, a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend, warrior, combat veteran, and Hero, died Saturday, (December 11, 2004) in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while conducting convoy operations. Hoyt was assigned to the Army National Guard’s C Company, 1st Battalion 102nd Infantry, Bristol. Robert Hoyt was born in Manchester to Kathleen and Thomas D. Hoyt, Sr. He grew up in Mansfield, was a 2001 graduate of Edwin O. Smith High School, and enlisted in the Connecticut National Guard in 2002. Hoyt had a love for sports and music. He played football and ran track in high school. He also coached football for the Mansfield Youth League. He was an employee of Wing Foot Commercial Tire. Soldiering is an affair of the heart, and it is that spirit, that fundamental commitment to volunteer, to place the Nation’s needs above one’s own, that makes Robert Hoyt one of the best Soldiers in the world today. Robert Hoyt was a great soldier who voluntarily answered the call to duty. He was a true hero. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Etta Zwick, and his grandfather, Ross Russell. Survivors include mother, Kathleen Hoyt of Storrs; father, Thomas Hoyt of Ashford; his brother, Thomas Hoyt, Jr.; two sisters, Ginger and Amber Hoyt; grandmothers, Clara Russell and Nancy Cunningham; grandfathers, Samuel Zwick and Paul Cunningham; 26 aunts and uncles; many cousins and countless friends. A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, December 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 1600 Main St., Rt. 31, Coventry, with the Reverend Dr. Bruce Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Mansfield Center Cemetery. Calling hours will be held today, December 19, from 3-9 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 1600 Main St., Coventry. Memorial contributions may be made in Robert’s name to the Robert W. Hoyt Memorial Scholarship, c/o Deborah McCracken, New Alliance Bank, 6 Storrs Rd., Willimantic, CT 06226.
Memorialized at Camp Nett, 38 Smith Street, Niantic, Connecticut. The memorial brick with his name is on the left in the 2nd row of printed bricks.
Memorialized on the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Monument, Long Wharf Drive, and Sargent Drive, New Haven, Connecticut.
Memorialized on Bridge #05869 over the Mount Hope River in Ashford, Connecticut.
Specialist Hoyt is buried in New Mansfield Center Cemetery, 31 Cemetery Road, Mansfield Center, Connecticut; Section D, Row A, Plot 260.
INSCRIPTION ON THE BACK
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
The rains fall soft upon your fields and
Until we meet again, may God hold
You in the palm of his hand.
WEBMASTER NOTE: The inscription is an Irish blessing that has been passed down through generations. It is a traditional way of wishing someone good luck and fortune on their journey through life. This blessing has a simple yet powerful message that has resonated with people all over the world. Originally written in the Irish language, the prayer — the author is unknown. It has three main images, namely wind, sun, and rain. Fittingly for something written so long ago, the ancient Irish’s deep connection to nature and Ireland’s ever-changing elements shine through. The reference to the wind is thought to be a reference to the Holy Spirit, who came as a “mighty wind” at Pentecost. The sun’s warmth alludes to God’s mercy, which the New Testament (Luke 1:78, NIV) tells us, “By which the rising sun will come to us from heaven.” The mention of rain is thought to be symbolic of God’s provision – nothing will grow without rain.