Charles Howard Roan

Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Private First Class Charles Howard Roan (16 August 1923 - 18 September 1944) was a U.S. Marine who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during the landing on Peleliu in World War II.

Charles Howard Roan was born on 16 August 1923 in Claude, TX. Charles' life was like that of any small town American boy. He attended the local high school and worked in a local garage.

Charles enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in December 1942. After training and shipment to the Pacific Theater, Charles spent 15 months of overseas duty and was already a veteran of bitter fighting in two previous battles - New Guinea and Cape Gloucester.

On 18 September 1944, Charles was serving as a Private First Class in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. That day his unit was in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands. Seeking protection with 4 other marines in a depression in ground, Pfc. Roan was wounded by an enemy grenade which fell close to their position. Recognizing the danger to his comrades when another grenade landed in the midst of the group, he immediately covered it with his body and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. For his self-sacrifice while saving his fellow marines, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st 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, Pfc. 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 4 other marines in a depression in the rocky, broken terrain, Pfc. 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 4 men. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.

On 21 July 1945 in a simple presentation ceremony on the Armstrong County Courthouse lawn, Mrs. Lillabel Roan, of Claude, TX, accepted the Medal of Honor awarded to her son, PFC Charles Howard Roan.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Battle Stars

Honors

The United States Navy destroyer, the USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853) was named in his honor.

The Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo opened in 2007, bears the name of Charles H. Roan.

Death and Burial

Private First Class Charles Howard Roan was killed in action on 18 September 1944. His body was never recovered. Memorial services for PFC Roan took place in the Methodist Church in Claude on 8 April 1945.

PFC Roan's name is inscribed on the Wall of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Manila City, Philippines.

A memorial marker in honor of Roan is located at Claude Cemetery in Claude, Armstrong County, TX.