ROEDER, ROBERT E. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company G, 350th Infantry,
88th Infantry Division. Place and date: Mt. Battaglia, Italy, 27-28 September
1944. Entered service at: Summit Station, Pa. Birth: Summit Station, Pa.
G.O. No.: 31, 17 April 1945. Citation: for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. 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 to regain this dominating height. Completely
exposed to ceaseless enemy artillery and small-arms fire, Capt. 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 Capt. 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 in force, Capt. Roeder was seriously wounded and 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, Capt. 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. He personally killed 2
Germans before he himself was killed instantly by an exploding shell. Through
Capt. Roeder's able and intrepid leadership his men held Mount Battaglia
against the aggressive and fanatical enemy attempts to retake this important
and strategic height. His valorous performance is exemplary of the fighting
spirit of the U.S. Army.
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