Cpl. Roger Stroud was killed in action on Hill 689, near Khe Sanh, RVN. He was awarded the Silver Star in this action.

Roger was buried in the Garden of Gethsemane, Section D, Lot 73, Space 6 at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Silver Star Citation

Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Roger L. Stroud, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company C, First battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

On 7 July 1968, during an operation against a numerically superior enemy force in the vicinity of Hill 689 near Khe Sanh, in Quang Tri Province, Corporal Stroud's platoon was the point element for his company as it advanced to evacuate casualties and relieve another Marine company which was heavily engaged with the enemy. As the Marines moved to the location of the beleaguered company, Corporal Stroud's unit came under heavy North Vietnamese mortar and sniper fire. Undaunted by the heavy volume of hostile fire around him, he aggressively led his men forward through the hazardous mortar barrage and quickly deployed them in advantageous positions.

Observing that several Marines from an adjacent platoon were wounded and exposed to the continuous enemy fire, Corporal Stroud unhesitatingly led several of his men across fifty meters of fire-swept terrain to the side of the casualties and, after personally administering medical aid to four men, directed the evacuation of the wounded to an area of relative safety. Returning to his squad, he was maneuvering his men forward when he observed a North Vietnamese sniper inflicting heavy casualties on the assaulting platoon. Directing the remainder of his squad to provide protective covering fire, he crawled to within hand grenade range of the hostile position and was preparing to throw a grenade when the sniper was killed by the accurate fire of his squad members. Momentarily pausing in order to replace the firing pin in the grenade, Corporal Stroud was struck by enemy fire.

Although mortally wounded and in extreme pain, he called for assistance and remained conscious long enough for a companion to reach his side and remove the hand grenade before he collapsed from his wound. His presence of mind and selfless actions undoubtedly prevented serious injury or possible death to his fellow Marines around him.

By his courage, bold initiative and unfaltering devotion to duty, Corporal Stroud contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Action Date: 7-Jul-68
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Corporal
Company: Company C
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Regiment: 1st Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

Stroud, Roger Lee, CPL