Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Private First Class Charles Howard Roan was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 18, 1944 at Peleliu Island, Palau Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Roan was 21 years old.
Roan was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 21, 1945 — presented by Captain J. B. Longstaff to his mother, Mrs. Lillabel Roan, at the Armstrong County courthouse square in Claude, Texas.
Roan was born on August 16, 1923 in Claude, Armstrong County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Texas. He is buried at A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery.
Roan is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 78 credited to Texas.
Official Medal of Honor 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 his 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 four 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 imminent 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 four 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
Seeking protection with four 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 imminent 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.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 18, 1944).
- Age at death: 21
- Resting place: A.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Charles Howard Roan received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Timeline
- August 16, 1923Born in Claude, Armstrong County, Texas
- September 18, 1944Act of valor — Peleliu Island, Palau IslandsAge 21. 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division Killed in action.
- July 21, 1945Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyPresented by Captain J. B. Longstaff to his mother, Mrs. Lillabel Roan, at the Armstrong County courthouse square in Claude, Texas.
- Resting placeA.B.M.C. Manila Cemetery
Biography
Private First Class Charles Howard Roan (August 16, 1923 – September 18, 1944) was a United States Marine who sacrificed his life by falling on a grenade to save those of four fellow Marines in the landing on Peleliu during World War II. For his heroism, he posthumously received his nation's highest military honor – the Medal of Honor. On July 21, 1945, in a simple presentation ceremony on the Armstrong County Courthouse lawn, Mrs. Lillabel Roan, of Claude, Texas, accepted the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded her son, Pfc. Charles Howard Roan, USMCR.
From the Wikipedia article “Charles H. Roan”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Charles H. Roan — destroyer
