Charles E. Robena: Difference between revisions
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Latest revision as of 22:24, 1 November 2026
| Pre-War: | Taylor Instrument Companies (Ames St. Plant) |
| Residence: | 56 Salina St., Rochester, NY |
| Born: | June 30, 1947 (Rochester, NY) |
| Education: | Madison High School (Class of 1965) |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Rank: | Specialist 4th Class (SP4) |
| Unit: | 272nd Military Police Co., I Field Force (USARV) |
| Enlisted: | October 11, 1966 (Rochester, NY) |
| Deployment: | March 1967 (LZ Betty, Phan Thiet) |
| Died: | February 25, 1968 (Age 20) • KIA |
| Burial: | Grove Place Cemetery, Chili, NY |
| Memorial: | Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Panel 41E, Line 27) |
| Honors: | Purple Heart • Combat Action Ribbon • Gold Star |
Charles Edward Robena (1947–1968)
Taylor Instrument employee, Rochester native, and U.S. Army Military Policeman killed in action during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam.
Early Life & Career in Rochester
Charles Edward Robena—affectionately known to his family and close friends as “Chuck”—was born in Rochester, New York on June 30, 1947. He was raised on Salina Street in Rochester by his mother, Mrs. Edward J. Robena, alongside his sister Linda and brother Tom.
He attended Rochester city schools, graduating from Madison High School in the Class of 1965. Following graduation, Robena joined the local workforce and was employed at the main Ames Street manufacturing complex of the Taylor Instrument Companies. Active in his church youth fellowship, he was remembered by peers for his unselfish nature and warm personality.
Military Service & The 272nd MP Company
On October 11, 1966, Robena entered the United States Army at Rochester. Trained as a military policeman, he attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class (SP4) and was assigned to the 272nd Military Police Company, attached to I Field Force Vietnam (USARV).
In March 1967, SP4 Robena deployed overseas to the Republic of Vietnam. The 272nd MP Company was responsible for critical combat security operations, convoy escorts, and base protection in coastal Binh Thuan Province, operating out of Landing Zone Betty near the provincial capital of Phan Thiet. During his eleven months in country, Robena served on perimeter patrols and night security details.
Combat at LZ Betty & Supreme Sacrifice
By February 1968, SP4 Robena had nearly completed his full one-year combat tour in Southeast Asia. He had received his travel orders and was scheduled to depart Vietnam on March 15, 1968 for a well-earned 45-day leave at home in Rochester, after which he was slated for reassignment to peacetime duty in West Germany.
On the night of February 25, 1968—during the widespread secondary attacks of the Tet Offensive—Landing Zone Betty was heavily bombarded by enemy rocket and mortar fire. An enemy mortar scored a direct hit on the ammunition dump, triggering catastrophic secondary explosions across the airstrip and perimeter. In the fierce firefight that erupted along the defensive lines, Specialist Robena was struck and killed by hostile small arms fire. He was 20 years old, just 19 days shy of returning home to Rochester.
Final Resting Place & Lasting Remembrance
Specialist Robena's remains were returned home to Monroe County. Following funeral services on March 11, 1968, he was laid to rest with military honors in Grove Place Cemetery in Chili, New York.
His sacrifice is permanently commemorated on the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., at Panel 41E, Line 27. GEWAME proudly preserves his memory alongside all Taylor Instrument employees who gave their lives in defense of freedom.
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), U.S. Army Casualty Records (SP4 Charles Edward Robena; 272nd MP Co.; Casualty Date Feb 25, 1968, Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam).
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) • National Memorial Directory (The Wall: Panel 41E, Line 27).
- Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY), Obituary & Service Notice, March 1, 1968.
- Rochester Times-Union, “Area Soldier Dies in Vietnam Combat,” March 1, 1968.
- Grove Place Cemetery Records, Town of Chili, Monroe County, New York (Burial March 11, 1968).
- Taylor Instrument Companies, Ames Street Personnel & Alumni Memorial Records.
