25 Jun 2006 To a man I never knew Sixteen years before my birth, you were just starting your Senior year of High School. I wonder what your thoughts were, how you felt, what your plans and dreams were. I'm told you were engaged soon after that, you had a girl who loved you and a family that I know would come to miss you. I wish I knew why you left, were you drafted, did you sign up ... were you driven away. No one talks about it, no one will say ... I just wish I understood. Maybe if we knew and remembered, maybe if you had been here, things might be different. Your father might not be dead, your mother might remember her family, your big brother might not scorn his family, and your sisters might not despise each other ... I can't help but wonder what might be different, but mostly I wonder ... what you were like. I've always felt close to you, and have dedicated my spiritual life to you, but still I have no answers. You are sorely missed, my uncle, my spirit guide, my friend. From his nephew, Matthew James Lesiewicz chevits11@aol.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to ROGER DALE ROSENBERGER Private First Class United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Rifleman with Company M, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 June 1969, Company M was participating in Operation VIRGINIA RIDGE approximately seven miles north of the Dong Ha Combat Base in Quang Tri Province. As the Marines crossed a large open field, the point element came under a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons, machine gun, and rocket-propelled grenade fire from enemy forces well-concealed in a hedgerow. Observing that his companions were pinned down by the intense hostile fire, Private First Class Rosenberger unhesitatingly rushed across the fire-swept terrain to attack the most forward enemy position. Although seriously wounded and knocked to the ground by the explosion of a hostile hand grenade, he resolutely regained his footing and continued his aggressive assault against the enemy emplacement, temporarily suppressing the enemy fire. As the enemy soldiers began to retreat, one of them threw a second hand grenade at Private First Class Rosenberger, mortally wounding him. His heroic actions and sincere concern for the welfare of his fellow man inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the lives of several Marines. By his courage, determination and selfless devotion to duty, Private First Class Rosenberger contributed significantly to the subsequent defeat of the hostile force and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. A Note from The Virtual Wall From the first days of US involvement in Vietnam the Marines provided the bulwark against North Vietnamese invasion across the Demilitarized Zone. Although almost every Marine maneuver battalion operated at some time in the northern-most Province, Quang Tri was the 3rd Marine Division's area of operations and 3rd MarDiv's assigned units bore the brunt of the fighting, losing 7,259 men during the war - more than any other US Division in Vietnam. On 17 June 1969, during Operation VIRGINIA RIDGE, the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, lost 19 men in a heavy engagement with North Vietnamese Army units; 10 of the dead were from Mike 3/3: 2ndLt Bruce Kolter, Wapakoneta, OH (Silver Star) LCpl Michael D. Dawson, Knoxville, TN LCpl William M. Stone, Glen Burnie, MD Pfc Derrick Core, Dayton, OH Pfc Joseph D. Fournier, Van Buren, ME Pfc Johnie F. Granberry, Round Lake, FL Pfc William J. Revell, Florence, SC Pfc Roger D. Rosenberger, Swartz Creek, MI (Navy Cross) Pfc David M. Steele, Comanche, OK Pfc Robert W. Witty, South Amherst, OH

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