Roger Allen Pederson
Specialist Four, U.S. Army

On 29 March 1971, Specialist Four Roger Allen Pederson was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), in South Vietnam.

On that day, SPC4 Pederson was a medical aidman in support of a besieged American unit. While en route to the contact area, his convoy was ambushed by an enemy force firing rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons. SPC4 Pederson jumped from his vehicle amid intense enemy fire and ran forward to treat the wounded. With enemy rounds hitting all around him, SPC4 Pederson treated 2 wounded soldiers and dragged both to safety. Although wounded in this action, he attempted to reach another casualty. SPC4 Pederson began treating the casualty's wounds when a hail of enemy bullets struck his location. SPC4 Pederson used his own body to shield the soldier and sustained additional wounds. He died of those wounds a short time later. SPC4 Pederson's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Medical Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Roger Allen Pederson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). Specialist Four Pederson distinguished himself as a medical aidman in support of a besieged American unit. While en route to the contact area, his convoy was ambushed by an enemy force firing rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons. Specialist Pederson leaped from his vehicle amid intense enemy fire and raced forward to treat the wounded. With enemy rounds spraying around him, Specialist Pederson treated two wounded soldiers and dragged both to safety. Although wounded in this action, he again attempted to reach another casualty. Ignoring his own wounds, Specialist Pederson began treating the casualty's wounds when a hail of enemy bullets struck his location. Specialist Pederson shielded the soldier with his own body, sustaining additional wounds. Shortly thereafter, he succumbed to his own wounds. Specialist Four Pederson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2060 (June 14, 1971)

Honors

The name Roger A Pederson is located on Panel 4W Line 92 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Specialist Four Roger Allen Pederson is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, WI.