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BORN:
July 25, 1917 at Summit Station, PA
Entered Service in the US
Army from Summit Station, PA
Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For heroism on
September 27 & 28, 1944 at Mount Battaglia, Italy
DIED: September
28, 1944 at the age of 27
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Captain Roeder
commanded his company in defense of the strategic Mount
Battaglia. Shortly after the company had occupied the hill, the
Germans launched the first of a series of determined
counterattacks. Completely exposed to ceaseless artillery and
small-arms fire, Captain 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. Captain Roeder led his men in a
fierce battle at close quarters, to repulse the attack with
heavy losses to the Germans. The following morning, while the
company was engaged in repulsing an enemy counterattack, Captain
Roeder was rendered unconscious by shell fragments. He was
carried to the company command post, where he regained
consciousness. Refusing medical treatment, he insisted on
rejoining his men. Although in a weakened condition, Captain
Roeder dragged himself to the door of the command post and,
picking up a rifle, braced himself in a sitting position. He
began firing his weapon, shouted words of encouragement, and
issued orders to his men, killing two Germans before he himself
was killed by an exploding shell.
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