FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: COL Gordon Ray Roberts ~ October 21, 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

COL Gordon Ray Roberts

Info from this website.

           

Gordon Ray Roberts (born June 14, 1950), a United States Army officer, is a Medal of Honor recipient for his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" on July 11, 1969 while an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.

As of September 2007, Roberts was the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient and the only Medal of Honor recipient still serving on active duty.  He has served as the Officer in charge of force protection, 1st COSCOM, Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq and in June of 2008 took command of Medical Center Brigade at Walter Reed.

Gordon "Bird Dog" Roberts was born in Middletown, Ohio in 1950. His hometown is Lebanon, Ohio.

Vietnam service

 Roberts enlisted in the U.S. Army three days after graduating from high school, at age 17. Following basic training, he attended the Infantry school, and was then assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and sent to Vietnam.

By July 11, 1969, he had already distinguished himself, being awarded both the Silver Star and the Bronze Star.  On that day, Roberts single-handedly wiped out two machine gun nests, saving the lives of many fellow soldiers.

On March 2, 1971, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon for his actions on July 11, 1969.

Post-Vietnam life

Following his first enlistment in the Army, Roberts attended the University of Dayton and received a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1971.  He married and became the father of a son and a daughter. After eighteen years as a social worker, he returned to the Army and received a direct commission as an officer.

Awards and Decorations

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Gordon Roberts military awards include the Silver Star, the Bronze Star , the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Sp4), U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division.

Place and date: Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam, July 11, 1969.

Entered service at: Cincinnati, Ohio.

Born: June 14, 1950, Middletown, Ohio.

Citation:

    For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Roberts distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company B, during combat operations. Sgt. Roberts' platoon was maneuvering along a ridge to attack heavily fortified enemy bunker positions which had pinned down an adjoining friendly company. As the platoon approached the enemy positions, it was suddenly pinned down by heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire from camouflaged enemy fortifications atop the overlooking hill. Seeing his platoon immobilized and in danger of failing in its mission, Sgt. Roberts crawled rapidly toward the closest enemy bunker. With complete disregard for his safety, he leaped to his feet and charged the bunker, firing as he ran. Despite the intense enemy fire directed at him, Sgt. Roberts silenced the 2-man bunker. Without hesitation, Sgt. Roberts continued his l-man assault on a second bunker. As he neared the second bunker, a burst of enemy fire knocked his rifle from his hands. Sgt. Roberts picked up a rifle dropped by a comrade and continued his assault, silencing the bunker. He continued his charge against a third bunker and destroyed it with well-thrown hand grenades. Although Sgt. Roberts was now cut off from his platoon, he continued his assault against a fourth enemy emplacement. He fought through a heavy hail of fire to join elements of the adjoining company which had been pinned down by the enemy fire. Although continually exposed to hostile fire, he assisted in moving wounded personnel from exposed positions on the hilltop to an evacuation area before returning to his unit. By his gallant and selfless actions, Sgt. Roberts contributed directly to saving the lives of his comrades and served as an inspiration to his fellow soldiers in the defeat of the enemy force. Sgt. Roberts' extraordinary heroism in action at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....The Mayor snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....Connie bags the bronze!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...are you having nice weather along with your visit?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Kate Smith ~ God Bless America

[SandRat]

Good evening, Kathy...((HUGS))...we are, having nice weather on our visit.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Honoring Our Heroes

2LT Rebecca USA (Daughter of U S Army EOD)
3 sons (armymarinemom and amdad)
86th Fighter Weapons Squadron "Combat Hammer" (saminfl)
AbnSarge USA
Allegra
Anoreth USCG (daughter of Tax-chick)
aviator USAF
BIGLOOK USN
Brett USN (CindyDawg)
Brother and Son-in-Law (kalee)
Cannoneer No. 4
CAPT Future Snake Eater USA (RightOnline)
CAPT Jason Clendenin (friend of Frou)
Chris USA (amom)
Chuck USA (RightOnline)
CMS USA
COL Mike (gpapa)
ConorMacNessa FMF Corpsman
Cpl Don USMC 1963-1967 (Diver Dave's twin)
CPT Carol USA, Nurse Corp (Vineyard)
David USAF (LUV W)
Defender2
Deven USA (Shimmer)
Diver Dave USN
Drumbo USN
E2 Mike USA (Colonel_Flagg)
Ethan USMC (georgiabelle)
forgotenknight13 USA (grandson of Monkey Face)
Fred (DocRock)
GulfWar1Vet USA
HiJinx USA
IS2 Brianne USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
IS2 Heather USN (My Hearts in London - Everett)
Jade Falcon USN
James USA (Grumpybutt)
JemiansTerror USA (Jemian)
Jet Jaguar USAF
Joel (NEMDF)
Jonathan USMC (AZbushgal)
Josh USN (doug from upland)
Karen USA (fatima's granddaughter)
Kenneth (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
Kevin USMC (skimask)
Kevin and David USA (vigilante2)
KJD USAF (SuzyQue)
Laurita USA
LCpl Carter USMC
LCpl Joe USMC (Don’tMessWithTexas)
Lindsay (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
LT David (Coldwater Creek)
LT Gerald USN (Vineyard)
M1911A1 USMC (M0sby)
M1Tanker
Major Bryan USA (Diver Dave)
Major Jennifer USA (Diver Dave)
Major joma89 USAF
MEG33's Navy Grandson
Michael USAR (RightOnline)
Mike1Sg USA (mystery-ak)
Milo828 USA (mystery-ak)
MSgt Eddie USAF (Son of ThomasPaine2000, CMSgt USAF, Ret)
MSGT Glen Ignasiak USAF (nephew of AirForceMom)
Nate USN (sneakers)
Navy Chaplain, Lt Nathan Rice (Coldwater Creek)
Old China Hand USA
Old Sarge USA
OneLoyalAmerican USCG
PFC Jake USMC (son of Enough_Deceit)
Philetus USA
PROCON USA
Rick USAF (Doogle)
Robert, Jeremy, Daynnis USA (SoldierDad)
SandRat USA
Sat-Com Chris USA (son of KC Burke)
SGT Alex USA (son of Enough_Deceit)
SGT Chris USA (son of Vineyard)
SGT Ev USA (Mozie)
SGT Gray USA (colorcountry’s son)
SGT Matt USMC (SuzyQue)
SGT Robert USMC (MarineMom613)
SGT Sean Reed (preed)
Son USCG (GodBlessUSA)
SPC Drew USA (brother-in-law Stonewall Jackson)
SPC Mike USA (AbnSarge)
SPC Ted USA (nephew of hoagy62)
SPC William Akin USA (Step-son of BlueLancer)
SPC4 Dan USA (son of swmobuffalo)
SSG Brian USA (repubmom)
SSG Dustin USA (SIL of U S Army EOD)
SSG Dusty USA (MountainDad)
SSG Mitchel USA (tina07)
SSG Spencer USA (grame)
SSGT Adam USA (Diver Dave)
SSGT Don May Jr USMC (debm29palms)
SSGT John Linde USA (JFoxbear)
SSGT The Black Knight USAF
Stevan USA (Grumpybutt)
Terrence USN (Sweetbaby/LadyPilgrim)
The Sailor
TMSuchman USMC
tongue-tied USN/USA
Tonkin USN/USCG
TSGT Jason M Kibler USAF (son of AirForceMom)
SFC txradioguy USA
USAFSecurityForces (son of visualops & TheStickman)
Valerie USAF (Shimmer)
Victor and Tony D USMC (weldgophardline)
Vineyard USN
William USA (jackv)
WOs Bob and Michelle USA (nephew, and his wife, of BnBlFlag)

 

[luvie]

Goooood Evening, Night Owls!
Whooooooo is still up for a while?
We can enjoy the wonderful thread
about an American hero!
Thanks, Kathy and Star, for introducing him to us!
Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow....
....even though it's a Moanday!
((((hugs))))

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

I slept all afternoon because I had a vicious sinus headache. It has finally abated, so I am having a little midnight snack and FReep!

((((HUGS))))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv...are you still visiting?

Did you guys do exciting stuff?

I’m not ready for Monday. Do you think it would hold off for a day?

[HiJinx]

What are you doing up this time of night, Luvvy?
No work tomorrow?
Like your moon-kissed owl, tonight. That’s cute...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, almost morning, ML...((HUGS))

A vicious sinus headache is not a good thing. Glad you were able to sleep it off. How’s Lynn-Dah...sleeping, too?

How was the Biker Chapel? Were you a trio?

[left that other site]

The Biker Church lost its Venue in an unfortunate situation, so a local chapter of a Motorcycle Club generously allowed us to use THEIR OWN CLUBHOUSE facilities for our church service. A member of the club happened to have his harmonica with him, so even though the guitar player couldn’t make it today, we were still a trio. Hopefully next week we will be a QUARTET.

I am absolutely STUNNED by the generosity of the Biker Club, as they are not of the “goody two shoes” variety.

The service was terrific, and there were quite a few new folks in attendance. As soon as I got home and walked Lynn-Dah, I collapsed on the bed and she curled up beside me on the floor. She gets very protective when I am not well.

[luvie]

No more visiting...I only had a 3-day weekend. It sure was
nice to see the crew, though! We didn’t do too much exciting
stuff...went to a small dinner party on Saturday night and
just hung out and talked...and FReeped...the rest of the time.

I wish Monday would just go away. It’s always a nightmare! LOL!

[luvie]

Thanks, Jinxy! This is actually early for me! :)

I am tired though...from driving back from Ft. Worth today.

Sure had a good time catching up with FRiends, though. :)

[MEG33]

I'm too pooped to post..
Good night, LUV and all

*God Bless Our Troops*
Sweet Dreams

[left that other site]

[Kathy in Alaska]

My goodness, you had quite the day.

God works in mysterious ways....not only did you find a venue for your Biker Church, you gained a musician. God seems to have plans for you.

Who would have thought a not “goody two shoes” biker on Saturday, would be making music in Church on Sunday.....His mysterious ways.

Good job, Lynn-Dah!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good night and rest well, Meg...((HUGS))

[left that other site]

And, not only that, there is a METAL roof over the stage, which will not develop dangerous “bulges” in the rain! LOL!

I have been baptized, but my instruments don’t need to be.

[Kathy in Alaska]

That is a great picture. Does the banner say “Motorcycle Ministry”?