John R. Roche
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

On 1 August 1943, then-Captain John R. Roche was serving as Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 330th Bombardment Squadron, 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), Ninth Air Force (Attached), U.S. Army Air Forces at Bengazi, Libya.

On that day, CPT Roche’s unit was in action against German forces while participating in a bombing mission against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. CPT was piloting his B-24D Liberator Bomber (SN 41-24109) nicknamed 'Ready & Willing.' During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, CPT Roche flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew of 10 safely back to base without the loss of a single man. CPT Roche’s bravery, courageous actions and devotion to duty that day, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

During World War II, Roche survived being shot down twice. Late in the war, he was recruited to work on the highly-secretive Manhattan Project. In 1946, he participated in the nuclear weapon tests at Bikini Atoll.

Roche served as a commander of numerous air bases around the world during his 30-years in the Air Force. He was also assigned to the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force at the Pentagon. He retired from his distinguished military career in 1970.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Air Force Longevity Service Award with Silver and Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Command Pilot Badge
Headquarters Air Force Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Captain (Air Corps) John R. Roche, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 330th Bombardment Squadron, 93d Bombardment Group (H), NINTH Air Force (Attached), while participating in a bombing mission on 1 August 1943, against the Ploesti Oil Refineries in Rumania. During a long and hazardous attack against a vital enemy oil installation made at low-altitude by a formation of B-24 type aircraft, Captain Roche flew through heavy enemy fire against impossible odds, and then brought his crew safely back to base without the loss of a single man. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Captain Roche on this occasion, even when confronted with practically certain destruction, exemplified the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Headquarters, Ninth U.S. Army Air Force, General Orders No. 88 (1943)

Death and Burial

Colonel John R. Roche died on 4 November 2007 at the Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 60, Site 51.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49303838/john-r-roche