First Lt. Robert Joseph “R.J.” Hess of Fairfax graduated from Robinson Secondary School in 2005 and Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia’s Army ROTC program in 2010. He was killed in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan on April 23, 2013.
To honor Hess, the UVA ROTC program set up the 1st Lt. Hess Leadership Award and Scholarship. The program is sponsoring a 5K race and walk on campus on the anniversary of his death, Saturday April 23, 2016, to raise money for the scholarship.
“Hess was respected as a genuine leader by his peers,” Army Cadet Sarah Koch, an organizer of the event, said in a statement. “The scholarship will be presented annually to a fourth-year cadet who embodies the attributes of moral courage, integrity and selfless service.”
Hess’ father Ret. U.S. Army Col. Robert T. Hess Sr, and Lt. Col. Mark Houston, commander of the UVA ROTC unit, will say a few words before the start of the race at 10 a.m. Registration on the day is between 9 and 10 a.m. at 530 McCormick Road in Charlottesville.
At Robinson, Hess played football and lacrosse, and was one of the swim team captains. He attended Basic Officer Leaders Course and flight school in 2011 after being selected for Army aviation.
Hess’ awards and accolades in the U.S. Army include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the NATO Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Aviator Badge.