28 September

CAPT. ROBERT E. ROEDER
Company G, 350th Infantry
88th Infantry Division.
Mt. Battaglia, Italy
27-28 September 1944

Capt. Roeder’s company was defending a strategic position on Mount Battaglia. Almost immediately after taking the position, the enemy mounted a series of fierce counter-attacks.

Completely exposed to ceaseless enemy artillery and small-arms fire, Capt. Roeder constantly circulated among his men, encouraging them and directing their defense against the persistent enemy. During the sixth counterattack, the enemy, by using flamethrowers and taking advantage of the fog, succeeded in overrunning the position Capt. Roeder led his men in a fierce battle at close quarters repulsing the enemy attack.

The following morning, Capt. Roeder was seriously wounded and rendered unconscious by shell fragments. He regained consciousness at the aid station. Refusing medical treatment, and no longer able to stand or sit upright, the young captain dragged himself to a position where he could brace himself with his back to a doorframe and began firing his weapon, shouting words of encouragement, and issuing combat orders to his men.

He personally killed 2 Germans from that position before he himself was killed instantly by an exploding artillery shell.

Through Capt. Roeder’s able and intrepid leadership his men held Mount Battaglia against the aggressive and fanatical enemy attempts to retake this important and strategic height. His valorous performance is exemplary of the fighting spirit of the U.S. Army.