Robert E. Roeder

Holding Mount Battaglia against repeated attacks

Robert E. Roeder earned the Medal of Honor while defending Mount Battaglia, Italy, on September 27 and 28, 1944. A captain commanding Company G, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division, he moved among his men under fire and directed the defense against repeated German counterattacks.

After a shell burst seriously wounded him, Roeder regained consciousness at the command post. He refused treatment, dragged himself to the doorway and resumed directing his men while firing a rifle. Another shell killed him on September 28. His leadership helped the company hold the strategic height.

Born in Summit Station, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 1917, Roeder received the Medal of Honor posthumously. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the 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 two 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.