- SURNAME
Roan
- FORENAME
Charles Howard
- UNIT
formerly 1st Marine Parachute Regiment
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
504236
- DATE OF DEATH
18th September 1944
- AGE
21
- GRAVESITE
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablets of the Missing
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 16.08.1923 Claude, Armstrong County, Texas, USA
father Henry Corbitt Roan (1894-1979)
mother Lillabel (nee Bacon) Roan (1896-1983)
employed by R.C. Ballard, Claude, Armstrong County, Texas
30.06.1942 draft card Claude, Armstrong County, Texas
12.12.1942 entered service
KIA Peleliu Island, Peleliu
posthumous Medal of Honor
Claude Cemetery, Claude, Armstrong County, Texas (Memorial)
DATE OF DEATH:
18-Sep-1944CITATION:
Medal of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Charles Howard Roan (MCSN: 504236), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 18 September 1944. Shortly after his leader ordered a withdrawal upon discovering that the squad was partly cut off from their company as a result of the rapid advance along an exposed ridge during an aggressive attack on the strongly entrenched enemy, Private First Class Roan and his companions were suddenly engaged in a furious exchange of hand grenades by Japanese forces emplaced in a cave on higher ground and to the rear of the squad. Seeking protection with four other Marines in a depression in the rocky, broken terrain, Private First Class Roan was wounded by an enemy grenade which fell close to their position and, immediately realizing the eminent peril to his comrades when another grenade landed in the midst of the group, unhesitatingly flung himself upon it, covering it with his body and absorbing the full impact of the explosion. By his prompt action and selfless conduct in the face of almost certain death, he saved the lives of four men. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-439/• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48313554/charles-howard-roan (Memorial)
• https://www.usscharleshroan.org/Roan.html
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8153824/charles-howard-roan
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