Sgt. 1st Class Robert R. Boniface, 34, a native of El Centro, California, volunteered for military service and entered the Army in March of 2006 as an 18 X-ray. After Infantry Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, GA., he attended Airborne School before being assigned to the Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS). Upon selection and completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), he was bestowed the coveted "Green Beret" on 14 January 2010. He was then assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC, as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant.

Sgt.1st Class Boniface's military education includes: Special Operations Jumpmaster Course, Senior Leader Course, Combat Diver Qualification Course, Special Forces Diving Medical Technician Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Operations Combat Medic Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course, Basic Leaders Course and the U.S. Army Static Line Airborne Course.

His awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, three Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Special Forces Combat Diver Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

Sgt.1st Class Boniface is survived by his wife, Rebekah Boniface and their daughter, Mia Elia Boniface. He is further survived by his mother, Elia Boniface and his father, David Boniface, both of whom currently reside in El Centro, California and his sister, Breezy Piini of Encinitas, California.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. A Funeral cortege will depart Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel at 2:00pm Friday, March 31, 2017 for Full Military Graveside services beginning at 3:00pm at Barrancas National Cemetery, aboard NAS, Pensacola. Fr. Doug Halsema will provide Catholic rites, also at the cemetery.