David L. Roustum

Marc Panepinto

May 19, 2015

Sergeant

Sergeant David L. Roustum

Award: Honoring Our Veterans

Year: 2015

United States Army

Army Sergeant David L. Roustum (Age 22) was killed in action on November 20th, 2004 when his armored Humvee was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. Sergeant Roustum was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, and attached to the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood Texas. Sergeant Roustum received the Bronze Star with V, two Army Commendation Medals for previous actions, the Purple Heart, and the coveted Combat Infantry badge.  

When David was called to active duty, he was following his older brother, Dan, into the military. His concerned Syrian-born father suggested his son could avoid combat by going to Syria. But Russ Roustum said his son would have none of it. Army Sergeant David L. Roustum was killed in action on November 20th, 2004 when his armored Humvee was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. Sergeant Roustum was 22 years old. Three mothers of soldiers who were injured in the attack told Roustum’s parents, Russ and Jennifer, that they believe David Roustum saved their sons’ lives. 

Sergeant Roustum was part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, and attached to the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood Texas. Sergeant Roustum received the Bronze Star with V, two Army Commendation Medals for previous actions, the Purple Heart, and the coveted Combat Infantry badge. 

Sergeant Roustum was unmarried and had no children when he was killed in action. He is survived by his mother Jennifer, his father Russ, a brother and two nieces and a nephew.