Robert Stethem
| Robert Dean Stethem | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
November 17, 1961 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | June 15, 1985 (aged 23) Beirut, Lebanon |
| Resting place |
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington County, Virginia Section 59, Grave 430 (38°52′41″N 77°03′57″W / 38.8780°N 77.0658°W) |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1980–85 |
| Rank |
   Master chief constructionman (CUCM)Second-class diver (DV) |
| Unit | Underwater Construction Team ONE (UCT-ONE) |
| Awards | |
Robert Dean Stethem (November 17, 1961 – June 15, 1985) was a United States Navy Seabee diver who was murdered by Hezbollah terrorists during the hijacking of the commercial airliner he was aboard, TWA Flight 847. At the time of his death, his Navy rating was Steelworker Second Class (SW2). He was posthumously promoted to Master Chief Constructionman (CUCM).
Stethem was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, but grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Waldorf, Maryland. He was one of four children. His father, Richard Stethem, retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief after 20 years, continuing to work for it as a civilian afterwards. His mother, Patricia, served in the Navy before raising her family, continuing to serve in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces afterwards. His brother, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Kenneth Stethem was a Navy SEAL and brother Diver First Class Patrick Stethem served in Underwater Construction Team One for 10 years – the same unit in which Robert served. Stethem had one sister, Sheryl Sierralta.
He graduated from Thomas Stone High School in 1980, where he played defensive back on the varsity and junior varsity football teams. He also played Little League baseball.
Stethem joined the Navy shortly after graduating, reporting for duty on May 4, 1981.
In the Navy, Stethem was a Seabee Steelworker assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 62 in Gulfport, MS. He served multiple tours on Diego Garcia and Guam. Later, Stethem became a 2nd Class Navy Diver and was assigned to the Navy's Underwater Construction Team One in Little Creek, Virginia.
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