The Texas VLB Recognizes the Heroism of Medal of Honor Recipient Charles H. Roan
Today, on the 76th anniversary of his death, the Veterans Land Board salutes PFC Charles H. Roan, a Marine Medal of Honor recipient and one of the namesakes for our Amarillo Veterans Home. He is a true example of a Texan hero, for his sacrifice to save others.
PFC Roan grew up in Claude, Texas, the county seat of Armstrong County, a mere 30 miles east from Amarillo. Claude’s population in 1940 was approximately 700 people, and he worked during high school at a local garage and service station, so everyone in town knew Roan. A typical West Texas youth, Roan wanted to serve his country and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942. He was sent to the Pacific in June 1943, and fought for 15 hard months. He was involved in battles against the Japanese in Eastern New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.
In September 1944, Roan was with a group of four other Marines, and they were engaged in a furious and heavy exchange of gunfire with Japanese soldiers on Peleliu. He was wounded by shrapnel from a hand grenade, and then a live grenade landed in the middle of the five Marines. PFC Roan immediately threw his body on the grenade, taking the blast for his comrades. They all survived but he did not.
For his selfless action, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars.
At home, Roan was honored by President Harry S. Truman, who awarded him the Medal of Honor. In 1946, the U.S. Navy named a destroyer in his honor, the USS Charles H. Roan. In 2007, the Texas Veterans Land Board named our Amarillo State Veterans Home after him, along with former VLB member and longtime Veterans advocate Mike Ussery. The home is known as Ussery-Roan Veterans Home, which has 120 beds with 30 dedicated to memory care. More information and applications can be reached at 806–322–8387 or https://vlb.texas.gov/veterans-homes/locations/amarillo.
The VLB thanks PFC Charles Roan and his family for their sacrifice. Thanks to all our WWII Veterans and all who have served with honor.
