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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Private First Class Charles H. Roan, USMCR, (1923-1944)
Charles Howard Roan was born on 16 August 1923 in Claude, Texas, where he attended school and worked before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps from that state in December 1942. Ordered to combat duty in the Pacific war zone, Roan served with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. While in the Marines, he
attained the rank of Private First Class.
On 18 September 1944, during the bitter fight to capture Peleliu from the Japanese, Roan's squad was closely engaged by the enemy after it had advanced ahead of the rest of its company. Wounded by one Japanese hand grenade, he flung himself on another that landed amid his group, sacrificing his life to save his fellow Marines. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Charles H. Roan is listed on the American Battle Monuments Commission's "Wall of the Missing" at Manila Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.
USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853), 1946-1973, was named in honor of Private First Class Charles H. Roan.
This page features the only images we have concerning Charles H. Roan.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 106450
Private First Class Charles H. Roan, USMCR
Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official
publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 250.
Charles H. Roan was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in action against the Japanese on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 18 September 1944.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 63KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 89581-KN (Color)
Private First Class Charles H. Roan, USMCR
Portrait of the namesake of USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853), painted by an unidentified artist. It was originally displayed on board that ship.
PFC Charles H. Roan was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in action against the Japanese on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 18 September 1944.
Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 50KB; 570 x 765 pixels |
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Medal of Honor citation of Private First Class Charles Howard Roan, USMCR
(as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor,
1861-1949, The Navy", page 250):
"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 imminent 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." |
NOTES:
To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here
are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded
and used for any purpose.
Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit
lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center".
Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval
History and Heritage Command".
Page made 18 February 2009
Edited and reposted 5 October 2009
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