16 May

SGT. ANUND C. ROARK,
Company C, 1st Bn, 12th Inf, 4th ID
Kontum Province, RVN
16 May 1968

Sgt. Roark was the point squad leader on mission to rescuing 11 men fellow Soldiers pinned down in a hilltop observation post.  They were approx. 1000 meters outside the Batallion perimerter and under heavy attack by a company-size force,

As lead elements reached the observation post, they were halted by heavy enemy machinegun fire.

Sgt. Roark repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to throw grenades, directed fire and covered the withdrawal and evacuation of its casualties.

The enemy attacked the hilltop with small arms and volleys of grenades.

Seeing a grenade land in the midst of his men, Sgt. Roark, with complete disregard for his safety, hurled himself upon the grenade, absorbing its blast with his body.

The last line of Sgt Anund C. Roark’s Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

“Sgt. Roark’s magnificent leadership and dauntless courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and were the inspiration for the successful relief of the outpost. His actions which culminated in the supreme sacrifice of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit on himself and the U.S. Army.”

 
Company C, 1st Bn, 12th Inf, 4th ID
Kontum Province, RVN
16 May 1968

Sgt. Roark was the point squad leader on mission to rescuing 11 men fellow Soldiers pinned down in a hilltop observation post.  They were approx. 1000 meters outside the Batallion perimerter and under heavy attack by a company-size force,

As lead elements reached the observation post, they were halted by heavy enemy machinegun fire.

Sgt. Roark repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to throw grenades, directed fire and covered the withdrawal and evacuation of its casualties.

The enemy attacked the hilltop with small arms and volleys of grenades.

Seeing a grenade land in the midst of his men, Sgt. Roark, with complete disregard for his safety, hurled himself upon the grenade, absorbing its blast with his body.

The last line of Sgt Anund C. Roark’s Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

“Sgt. Roark’s magnificent leadership and dauntless courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and were the inspiration for the successful relief of the outpost. His actions which culminated in the supreme sacrifice of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit on himself and the U.S. Army.”