Service: NAVY
Component: ACTIVE DUTY
Name: RANDOLPH, TONY MICHAEL
Rank: PO2
Pay Grade: E05
Date of Death: 2009/07/06
Age: 22
Gender: MALE
Home of Record City: HENRYETTA
Home of Record State: OK
Home of Record Country: US
Unit: EODMU EIGHT
Incident Geographic Code: AF
Casualty Geographic Code: AF
Casualty Country: AFGHANISTAN
City of Loss: ZABUL PROVINCE
Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)
Senate
Page S4897
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES
Petty Officer 2nd Class Tony M. Randolph
Madam President, I would also like to remember the life and sacrifices of PO2 Tony M. Randolph, who died on July 6, 2009, of injuries sustained when insurgents utilized improvised explosive devices to attack his convoy in Zabul province, Afghanistan.
Tony was born on September 27, 1986, in Santa Rosa, CA. Growing up in Oklahoma, he was a 2005 graduate of Henryetta High School in Henryetta, OK, where he was a star athlete earning all-district honors in football.
“Tony was a leader. I truly believe he was a natural born leader,” said Henryetta football coach Kenny Speer. He was known for his toughness. In high school one day, Coach Speer made him run lap after lap. All Tony had to do was say “yes sir” for the punishment to end. “I said, Tony, you say the two magic words to make you stop running. So he looks at me and goes, `Si Senor,’ ” said Coach Kenny Speer.
Tony joined the Navy on September 28, 2005, and graduated from boot camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL, in December 2005. Other military assignments include Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA; Naval Dive and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, FL; Naval Explosive Ordnance Device School at Eglin Air Force Base, FL; and Explosive Ordnance Device Training and Evaluation Unit 1 in San Diego, CA.
He reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight, Sigonella, Sicily, in March 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2009.
“Petty Officer Randolph brought an incredible sense of youthful spirit, professionalism and dedication to this unit,” said CDR Todd Siddall, commanding officer of EODMU 8. “He will forever be remembered by his fellow Sailors as an example of true service to country and selfless sacrifice.”
Funeral services were held July 15, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Henryetta, OK, and he was laid to rest in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weleetka, OK.
“He loved his friends. He loved his family. He loved his country. That was Tony,” said his mother, Peggy Randolph.
Tony is survived by his parents, Fred and Peggy Sue Randolph, his brothers, Shawn and Richard, and his sisters, Susan and Kelly.
I extend our deepest gratitude and condolences to Tony’s family and friends. He lived a life of love for his family and country. He will be remembered for his commitment to and belief in the greatness of our Nation. I am honored to pay tribute to this true American hero who volunteered to go into the fight and made the ultimate sacrifice for our protection and freedom.