Biography for ROGER ALAN FULKERSON 6/19/45 - 9/25/68 After graduating with honors from Troy High School, Roger A. Fulkerson attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1967. While at West Point, he was a member of the bowling club, cadet band, riding club, karate club, and German club. He then attended artillery school at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and then volunteered for airborne school at Ft. Benning, GA, and took ranger training in Georgia and Florida. First Lieutenant Roger A. Fulkerson was killed in action on September 25, 1968, during a battle with hostile forces along the Cambodian border in Duc Lap, Viet Nam, on a main infiltration route to Saigon. He was serving as a forward observer with the C Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, of the Fourth Infantry Division. Because of his actions, several men's lives were saved that day. Tragically, he lost his own life in the process. Roger was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor, Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist Badge, Expert Rifle Badge and the Ranger Tab. Roger is survived by his daughter, Lynne Krause, whom he tragically never knew, as well as his parents, Bill and Dorothy Fulkerson, and his sister, Amy Fulkerson Hatfield. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, New York. Roger is remembered by the men of the 35th Infantry

 

16 Dec 2002 Roger, you will never be forgotten by me or by your many friends growing up, especially from School 16 and Troy High School, Troy, NY. Throughout these past 34 years, we have remembered you often and we have missed you so very much. So many of your friends have told me personally during the past two years that they have said prayers for you from time to time ever since your tragic death ... May we all meet again someday, Roger. You are the best of the best. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:12-13 From a close friend - we grew up together, Betsy Mitchell Savery Olympicmom@ca.astound.net

 

22 Dec 2002 Roger A. Fulkerson Pleiku, RVN 1968 F.O. Charlie Company 2/35th Infantry, 4th Inf Div In July 1968, two "Butter Bar" Second Lieutenants arrived at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam, both assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment - Roger Fulkerson and me. We spent a lot of time together while awaiting our assignments as Forward Observers with the line infantry companies - he to C Company and me to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division in Pleiku. During that time we talked of many things, not least what was coming in the immediate future and what we hoped for after we completed our Vietnam tour. During the months that followed, we talked by radio and even met occasionally ... and one of the last things he said to me was that he should have married his fiancee before coming over. Roger was killed in action on 25 September 1968, less than three months after our arrival. I was more fortunate, surviving my Vietnam experience and getting on with my life ... but I never forgot Roger Fulkerson. They say the past catches up with you, but sometimes it works differently... sometimes you find yourself CHASING THE PAST UNTIL IT CATCHES YOU (Click the link to read the entire story) Michael P. Kurtgis HHB 2/9th Arty Attached "B" 2/35th Infantry Pleiku, RVN 1968 mkurtgis@hotmail.com

 

20 Jun 2003 I served with Roger Fulkerson in Vietnam in 1968. It was my unfortunate duty to take care of his personal effects, and send him on his way back home. I knew Roger only for a short time and was a Forward Observer in another Infantry Company with the 35th Infantry Regiment. I feel it is only fitting that I leave this message here on his birthday. Roger did a very unselfish deed that caused him to lose his life. He called Artillery in on his location as it was being overrun by an NVA force. His timely action stopped the attack and likely saved a number of fellow soldiers from harm. He was a hero at a time when the war was unpopular and the task of being a Soldier was often considered less than honorable. We should always be thankful for Roger and the people like him that chose to do their duty with little or no regard for their own well being. He was a leader in the finest tradition of the Military. I have kept his memory with me for all these years. I have had the pleasure of speaking with his parents, schoolmates, fellow West Point graduates, and childhood friends. He is truly respected by all that knew him. Roger had a Daughter that he never knew and her only connection with her Father is through the people that knew him. He would be proud of you, Lynne, for the effort you have made to learn about him. I am honored that I could contribute. In closing I will say that it was truly a tragedy that we lost Roger. I think it is important for us to realize that he chose his time to leave us. I would hope for you and I the wisdom and fortitude to one day be able to choose our time. To say to our friends "Today I give my all for you." From a friend and fellow Artillery Officer, Donald L. Blankin donnie_b@mindspring.com

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