U.S. Navy · United States 
Commander Robert Schlegel served the Current Operations and Plans, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations for 16 years. Robert served in the Cold War, the Afghanistan and the Global War on Terrorism, and during the years of Gulf War. Robert was 38 years old.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
Place
Virginia
Biography
Commander, United States Navy, deputy head of current operations and plans for the Chief of Naval Operations.
He graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee in 1985 in French and journalism, and was commissioned out of Officer Candidate School in 1986. He served aboard the Spartanburg County as combat information centre officer, electronic material officer and gunnery officer; aboard the Harry E. Yarnell as damage control assistant; as a cruise missile instructor; and as engineer officer of the Scott.
He was officer in charge of the Tomahawk Afloat Planning System on the Atlantic Fleet staff and the Tomahawk action officer for the Director of Operations, Plans and Policy, and executive officer of the Arthur W. Radford from 1999 to 2000. He was selected for command afloat in December 2000 and promoted commander in August 2001, a month before he was killed.
He held a master's in international affairs from Old Dominion and a Naval War College diploma.
He was known for a keen wit and a forthright manner, and for ice hockey and football. His father and both his brothers served in the Navy. He and his wife Dawn had been together since school - thirteen years married.
He graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee in 1985 in French and journalism, and was commissioned out of Officer Candidate School in 1986. He served aboard the Spartanburg County as combat information centre officer, electronic material officer and gunnery officer; aboard the Harry E. Yarnell as damage control assistant; as a cruise missile instructor; and as engineer officer of the Scott.
He was officer in charge of the Tomahawk Afloat Planning System on the Atlantic Fleet staff and the Tomahawk action officer for the Director of Operations, Plans and Policy, and executive officer of the Arthur W. Radford from 1999 to 2000. He was selected for command afloat in December 2000 and promoted commander in August 2001, a month before he was killed.
He held a master's in international affairs from Old Dominion and a Naval War College diploma.
He was known for a keen wit and a forthright manner, and for ice hockey and football. His father and both his brothers served in the Navy. He and his wife Dawn had been together since school - thirteen years married.
Survivors
His wife Dr Dawn Schlegel.
Keepsakes
Shared stone
Shared stone
Shared stone
Shared stone
Shared stone
Shared stone
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Current Operations and Plans, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
1985 – 2001
Conflicts
Awards & Decorations
9
For service and achievement
Purple Heart posthumous
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal three gold stars ×4
Campaign and service medals
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon four bronze stars ×5
Foreign awards
Memorials
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Line 1963
Also Remembered
September 11, 2001 — The Pentagon
Burial Information
Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Section
64
Grave
5089
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krcpgse9nw81nvm18d07v5qj
Record added
August 8, 2026
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Last updated
September 30, 2026
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Shadow Box
Robert Schlegel
Commander
U.S. Navy
1985 - 2001
Current Operations and Plans, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
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