Charles H. Roan

He shielded four Marines from a grenade and died at Peleliu.

Charles Howard Roan was a United States Marine Corps Reserve rifleman from Claude, Texas, whose Medal of Honor recognized his sacrifice at Peleliu during World War II. Born on August 16, 1923, he attended local schools and worked at a garage before enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve in December 1942. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, and fought in New Guinea and at Cape Gloucester before the Palau Islands campaign.

### A final act on Peleliu

On September 18, 1944, during the battle for Peleliu, Roan’s squad advanced along an exposed ridge while attacking strongly fortified Japanese positions. The squad became partly separated from its company and was ordered to withdraw. Japanese troops in a cave on higher ground and behind the Marines began a close exchange of hand grenades. Roan and four comrades sought cover in a depression among the island’s broken rock. An enemy grenade wounded him; when another landed among the group, he covered it with his body. The explosion killed Roan and saved the lives of the four Marines beside him.

The Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously. On July 21, 1945, his mother, Lillabel Roan, accepted it at a ceremony on the courthouse lawn in Claude. Roan was 21. His service also included the Purple Heart and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars. A memorial service had been held at Claude’s Methodist Church in April 1945.

### 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 the 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 4 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 4 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.