Attained rank of Gunnery Sergeant in USMC. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, then was sent back later to be Chief of Security at the U.S. Embassy in Nha Trang. When Nha Trang fell to the North Vietnamese on April 2, 1975, it was Roger's duty to get all the Americans out safely as refugees attempted to get into the compound and hang on to helicopters. During the last few hours, he didn't know if he'd make it out alive, but he, being the last one to leave, was evacuated to Saigon, then to Australia. By the time Saigon fell, he was in Brussels, Belgium for a conference between Henry Kissinger and the leader of South Vietnam. Roger received a Bronze Star for his bravery on that day in 1975 in Nha Trang. 20 years after joining the Marines, he retired and came back to Eugene in 1982. After surviving all he did at war, he passed away of cancer at age 44 in 1987. Among other activities as a career Marine, he did two tours as a recruiter in Massachussetts and was escort for President Ford.
Sincerest thanks to jrmr910 for sponsoring my brother's memorial.
Sincerest thanks to jrmr910 for sponsoring my brother's memorial.
Attained rank of Gunnery Sergeant in USMC. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, then was sent back later to be Chief of Security at the U.S. Embassy in Nha Trang. When Nha Trang fell to the North Vietnamese on April 2, 1975, it was Roger's duty to get all the Americans out safely as refugees attempted to get into the compound and hang on to helicopters. During the last few hours, he didn't know if he'd make it out alive, but he, being the last one to leave, was evacuated to Saigon, then to Australia. By the time Saigon fell, he was in Brussels, Belgium for a conference between Henry Kissinger and the leader of South Vietnam. Roger received a Bronze Star for his bravery on that day in 1975 in Nha Trang. 20 years after joining the Marines, he retired and came back to Eugene in 1982. After surviving all he did at war, he passed away of cancer at age 44 in 1987. Among other activities as a career Marine, he did two tours as a recruiter in Massachussetts and was escort for President Ford.
Sincerest thanks to jrmr910 for sponsoring my brother's memorial.
Sincerest thanks to jrmr910 for sponsoring my brother's memorial.
