7/29/1980
SSG Nancy Ann Oszakewski, SP5 Ronald L. Kostenbader, and SP4 Joseph John Tripodi were killed on 29 July 1980. They were assigned to the 70th Ordnance Detachment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Fort Rosecrans, California. SSG Oszakewski, SP5 Kostenbader, SP4 Tripodi, and two other members of the detachment were in the process of loading approximately 1,000 pounds of illegal Mexican fireworks onto a truck at Fort Rosecrans, California. For an unknown reason the fireworks on the truck suddenly started to burn. SSG Oszakewski, SP5 Kostenbader, and SP4 Tripodi ran into the open bunker to escape the flash fire. The wind direction caused the fire to follow them into the bunker and initiated the fireworks that were still contained inside. The flash fire inside the bunker killed the three explosive ordnance disposal specialists. The two other explosive ordnance disposal specialists ran from away from the truck and bunker, and received minor burns and injuries that were not critical.
*This bio was researched and authored by SGM Mike R.Vining, USA (Retired). Please send any additional information and/or corrections to the author of this bio by email: sgmmvining@gmail.com. The EOD Warrior Foundation is not responsible for the accuracy of the information in bio.
I was in the 77th EOD at Ft. Huachuca when this happened. We considered the 70th EOD as our sister unit. The news hit us all very hard.
Hello old EOD buddy! Their memorial in San Diego was such a great recognition of their sacrifice!
Jorge Arroyo and I got to attend.
Carolyn Reck was the personal attendant for Nancy O.
I think every Army EOD unit far and wide sent 2 techs to the memorial.
Navy, Marines, and Air Force attended.
Also gathered were local, county, state and federal agencies.
The unit commander, a 1LT, I think, read a letter he had written to his techs after the incident.
Not a dry eye in the formations.
I still remember hearing the news. And I cried. I went through EOD school with Ron Kostenbader. The week before the accident he was on the phone trying to convince me to “Come to California!”, All of my team leaders couldn’t believe the tragedy. Every Single One said that Nancy was “The absolute best!!” She too helped pace the way!
I also went to Indian Head with Ron Kostenbader. He was a great guy!!
Thank You for the post she was my aunt
Nancy Oszakewski was one helluva gal!!
I didn’t know her personally but talked with her on the phone fairly often.
I admired her and the way she helped paved the way for women in EOD.
She helped me whenever I had a question about running the Supply Section in my unit.
She was very well respected by all that met her.
Your aunt was a truly amazing person!
RIP Nancy. We were in the same class at NAVSCHEOD at Indian Head. She was a great person, and a great tech.