PEOPLE--UNITED STATES

Charles Howard Roan was born on 16 August 1923 in Claude, Texas, where he attended school and worked before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps from that state in December 1942. Ordered to combat duty in the Pacific war zone, Roan served with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. While in the Marines, he attained the rank of Private First Class.

On 18 September 1944, during the bitter fight to capture Peleliu from the Japanese, Roan's squad was closely engaged by the enemy after it had advanced ahead of the rest of its company. Wounded by one Japanese hand grenade, he flung himself on another that landed amid his group, sacrificing his life to save his fellow Marines. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" on this occasion, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Charles H. Roan is listed on the American Battle Monuments Commission's "Wall of the Missing" at Manila Cemetery, Manila, Philippines.

USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853), 1946-1973, was named in honor of Private First Class Charles H. Roan.

This page features the only images we have concerning Charles H. Roan.

Photo #: NH 106450 Private First Class Charles H. Roan, USMCR Halftone reproduction of a photograph, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 250. Charles H. Roan was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in action against the Japanese on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 18 September 1944. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 63KB; 580 x 765 pixels
Photo #: NH 89581-KN (Color) Private First Class Charles H. Roan, USMCR Portrait of the namesake of USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853), painted by an unidentified artist. It was originally displayed on board that ship. PFC Charles H. Roan was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in action against the Japanese on Peleliu, Palau Islands, 18 September 1944. Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 50KB; 570 x 765 pixels

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions

To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.