- SURNAME
Roach
- FORENAME
Richard Franklin
- UNIT
3 Recon Bn (B Company) (3 MarDiv) (USN,attached)
- RANK
Hospitalman
- NUMBER
6969015
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1966
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DOW - see Roll of Honour
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Hospitalman Richard Franklin Roach (NSN: 6969015), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action serving as a Corpsman with Company B, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, on 20 June 1966, in the Republic of Vietnam. As a member of a forty-three-man patrol which came under heavy enemy machine gun and automatic weapons fire from the front, rear, and both flanks while penetrating deep into Viet Cong territory, Hospitalman Roach displayed outstanding courage and initiative during the ensuing fire fight in which eight Marines were wounded. Quick to respond to the call for "Corpsman," he unhesitatingly moved through the deadly fire to render medical assistance to his wounded companions. Although he, himself, was mortally wounded by a burst of fire delivered from only yards away while he was treating a casualty, he succeeded in securing a battle dressing on his wounded companion before collapsing. By his valiant efforts and selflessness in the face of heavy and intense hostile fire, Hospitalman Roach served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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