Robert Lee Sevell was born April 23, 1943, to Leo and Veronica Sevell. His home of record is Clark, NJ. He had a sister named Kathleen. The family lived in Linden until 1953 when they moved to Clark. He attended Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, NJ. Robert was the quarterback of his high school football team, the Crusaders. While in high school, Robert would meet his future wife and mother of his son. Valerie Kostyal and Robert started to date as freshmen and became high school sweethearts. After graduating high school, Robert entered Wesleyan College in 1961 in West Virginia. Sevell graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.

Before Robert would be drafted, he enlisted in the Marines in October of 1965. His father states, “He wanted to fulfill his obligation. The Marine Corps was the outfit he wanted and his goal was to be a pilot.” Sevell entered the US Marine Corps where he attained the rank of Captain (CAPT). He became a helicopter pilot in February 1967. Robert went to Vietnam in September 1967 shortly after his son, Robert John, celebrated his first birthday.

On February 28, 1968, Sevell was killed in action. He was 24 years old.

He left behind his parents, a wife, a son, and his sister, Kathy.

Sources: Kathy Moser (sister), Newspaper Clippings, and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024