THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Specialist John Roles,
My name is Karen Dressel. We both went to VPHS in 1966. I used to see you around campus. You were two grades ahead of me. Although I didn't know you I knew your friend John Nickel. I remember hearing of your death in Vietnam right after it happened. I recently read the account of it on this website after watching a documentary on PBS and remembering. It sounds like you displayed extreme bravery on the mission that took your life and saved the lives of others in the process since your were awarded the silver star. How devastating this must have been for your family to lose someone so young and apparently the only son. Thank you for your service to our country and may your soul rest in peace.

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

Dear Sp4 John Roles, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is almost Columbus Day. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

John W. Roles
Date of birth: June 16, 1948
Date of death: November 29, 1969
Home of record: Costa Mesa California
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class John W. Roles, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 29 November 1969 while serving as a machine gunner with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date during a reconnaissance operation, Company C discovered a North Vietnamese Army base camp. Specialist Roles was called upon to move his machine gun in front of the nearest enemy bunker. When he opened fire, enemy troops in two well concealed positions to his flanks responded with a hail of fire. Although he knew his position was defenseless Specialist Roles held his ground and returned a heavy base of fire on the enemy. His accurate suppressive fire enabled his company to move forward and gain the initiative to defeat the enemy. Refusing to withdraw, he continued to fire his machine gun until he was mortally wounded by hostile fire. Specialist Role's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 4896 (December 23, 1969)

Action Date: November 29, 1969

Service: Army

Rank: Specialist Fourth Class

Company: Company C

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade

I wasn't searching for you, but I was thinking about you when this page from the memorial popped up. Although that's really kind of spooky, I will take it as a sign to let you know that you have been thought of often through the years. It's hard to believe it's been almost 50 of them. We had some great times together! The band, the parties. I remember laying on your living room floor for days and hours listening to Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. You've been missed buddy. Save me a seat. We've got a lot of catching up to do!