Thomas Roehm

Roehm arrived in Vietnam 1968 and was assigned to 3rd Platoon. Tom is no longer with us. In the photo, FB Airborne-May 69 SGT Thomas Roehm.

SILVER STAR

13 May 1969

SGT Thomas L. Roehm was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 13 May 1969. Sergeant Roehm distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader in Company A, 2d Battalion, 501st Infantry. Company A was in the process of fortifying Fire Support Base Airborne, in the mountains west of Hue, Republic of Vietnam. At approximately 0330 hours on the cited date, the base was hit by a combination mortar barrage and sapper assault launched by elements of three North Vietnamese battalions. Sergeant Roehm directed the activities of his squad against the advancing insurgents, successfully thwarting repeated enemy attempts to
overwhelm hi position. The platoon’s Command Post bunker was then hit with multiple mortar rounds. Sergeant Roehm rushed to the battered Command Post position, ignoring the rounds exploding all around him. He applied life saving first aid to the wounded members of the group until the platoon medical aidman arrived. He then attempted to establish communication with the company Command Post but the platoon radios had been damaged beyond repair in the mortar strike. He then maneuvered to nearby Company E, where he realized that he was the only noncommissioned officer left in the sector. He immediately began to reorganize the remnants of the area’s perimeter defense. He personally led his men against the sappers who had penetrated the perimeter, killing several of the enemy with his M-16 rifle. After reestablishing security in his sector, he assisted in the defense of the rest of the fire base by openly through the enemy fire in the process. Late in the action, he personally directed the evacuation of the wounded personnel. Sergeant Roehm’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.