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Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
  O-1855  

Born:  February 17, 1948 at Vallejo, CA

Entered Service in the US Army from Los Angeles, CA

Earned The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism May 16, 1968 at Kontum Province, Vietnam

Sergeant Roark was the point squad leader of a small force which had the mission of rescuing 11 men in a hilltop observation post under heavy attack by a company-size force, approximately 1,000 meters from the battalion perimeter. As lead elements of the relief force reached the besieged observation post, intense automatic weapons fire from enemy occupied bunkers halted their movement. Without hesitation, Sergeant Roark maneuvered his squad, repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire to hurl grenades and direct the fire of his squad to gain fire superiority and cover the withdrawal of the outpost and evacuation of its casualties. Frustrated in their effort to overrun the position, the enemy swept the hilltop with small arms and volleys of grenades. Seeing a grenade land in the midst of his men, Sergeant Roark, with complete disregard for his safety, hurled himself upon the grenade, absorbing its blast with his body. His magnificent leadership and dauntless courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and were the inspiration for the successful relief of the outpost.