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Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Sp4c.), U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Thua Thien
Province, Republic of Vietnam, 11 July 1969. Entered service at:
Cincinnati, Ohio. Born: 14 June 1950, Middletown, Ohio.
Citation... For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. Sgt. Roberts distinguished himself while serving as a
rifleman in Company B, during combat operations. Sgt. Roberts'
platoon was maneuvering along a ridge to attack heavily fortified
enemy bunker positions which had pinned down an adjoining friendly
company. As the platoon approached the enemy positions, it was
suddenly pinned down by heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire
from camouflaged enemy fortifications atop the overlooking hill. |
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Seeing his platoon immobilized and in danger of failing in its mission, Sgt. Roberts crawled rapidly toward the closest enemy bunker. With complete disregard for his safety, he leaped to his feet and charged the bunker, firing as he ran. Despite the intense enemy fire directed at him, Sgt. Roberts silenced the 2-man bunker. Without hesitation, Sgt. Roberts continued his l-man assault on a second bunker. As he neared the second bunker, a burst of enemy fire knocked his rifle from his hands. Sgt. Roberts picked up a rifle dropped by a comrade and continued his assault, silencing the bunker. He continued his charge against a third bunker and destroyed it with well-thrown hand grenades. Although Sgt. Roberts was now cut off from his platoon, he continued his assault against a fourth enemy emplacement. He fought through a heavy hail of fire to join elements of the adjoining company which had been pinned down by the enemy fire. Although continually exposed to hostile fire, he assisted in moving wounded personnel from exposed positions on the hilltop to an evacuation area before returning to his unit. By his gallant and selfless actions, Sgt. Roberts contributed directly to saving the lives of his comrades and served as an inspiration to his fellow soldiers in the defeat of the enemy force. Sgt. Roberts' extraordinary heroism in action at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army. | |
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