Joseph Edward Roble

The database page for Joseph Edward Roble

05 Mar 2003 Joseph Roble was a brave Marine, a good man, and my cousin. At the time of his death I was serving as an Army medic in Danang. I know the terrible battles he and his friends encountered, and I respect them for giving so much to defend the freedom of the South Vietnamese people. May God bless, and the nation honor, the young men like Joe Roble who answered our nation's call and valiantly perished to preserve its principles. Semper Fi, Marines! Edwin F. Roble Jr. E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

22 Jul 2003 He's been gone 35 years now. I honor his sacrifice. I still miss him as much today as I ever have. Don Roble phyldon@quik.com

30 May 2004 Semper Fi, Joe. We lived a few hundred feet apart, yet I don't know if we ever met. Your brother and I both followed your path into the Marine Corps. You'd be so proud of him. He's a teacher now. You'll never know how many lives you've touched. Semper Fi, Joe. From a friend and neighbor, Richard Kunkle, Sgt. USMC rkunkle293@aol.com

16 Sep 2005 37 Years today, but still feels like it just happened. We miss your ornery smile. We tell our children of you so they may realize what an uncle they had and in hopes to instill some of your integrity and character. You were a beautiful soul! Thank God we had you at least for those short 21 years. That was all you needed to make your mark. I miss you, my beautiful brother. From his sister, Toni Apryasz tonia@iup.edu

Notes from The Virtual Wall On 13 Sep 1968 the four rifle companies of 2/26 Marines were helilifted to LZ Margo in the Cam Lo River valley about 12 miles west of Cam Lo itself. 2/26's "mission was to find, fix, and destroy all enemy units and installations in the Area of Operations." The Marines initiated aggressive sweeps all around LZ Margo, eliciting violent action from the North Vietnamese regulars who occupied the area. During the period 16-19 September, LZ Margo endured extraordinary mortar attacks, as well as occasional artillery fire from NVA positions within the Demilitarized Zone; these fires resulted in the deaths of 28 Marines over the four days. The 2/26 Command Chronology for September 1968 contains the following entry: "16 Sep - At 161520H BLT 2/26 CP received a total of 158 82mm mortar rounds at XD 901611. Mortars were firing from [four different areas]. Returned fire initially with machine guns and small arms, then used 81mm [mortars] and artillery. The attack resulted in 21 USMC KIA, 135 USMC WIA, and 6 USMC NBC." Eight men from Echo 2/26 are known to have died from the mortar attack on 16 Sep: LCpl Gary R. Daffin, Baltimore, MD LCpl Harry E. Rivers, Philadelphia, PA LCpl Joseph E. Roble, Latrobe, PA (Bronze Star "V") LCpl Clifton Spiller, Dayton, OH (DoW 09/28/1968) Pfc Edward Cunningham, New York, NY Pfc John M. Donohue, Gregory, MI Pfc James C. Durham, Lincoln Park, MI Pfc Delon Hunter, Los Angeles, CA The Bronze Star Medal was presented to his mother, Mrs. Anna Roble, on 03 July 1998, almost 30 years after Joe Roble's death. The action described below took place on 15 September 1968; Echo 2/26 lost Cpl Stanley R. Pettit and had 6 other men wounded in action. Lance Corporal Roble was killed in action the following day. COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS The President of the United States takes pride in posthumously presenting the Bronze Star medal to LANCE CORPORAL JOSEPH E. ROBLE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy while serving as an M79 grenadier with the 3rd Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. On 15 September 1968, Lance Corporal Roble was assigned the task of taking over the "Point" of a company size patrol moving along a narrow trail covered by dense vegetation in the vicinity of Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. The lead two Marines walking the "Point" came under intense enemy small arm and automatic weapons fire. The Marine closest to the enemy fire was killed almost immediately and the second Marine was severely wounded. Lance Corporal Roble, without hesitation and with complete disregard for his safety, rushed forward from a position of relative safety to assist the two fallen Marines. The enemy continued to fire automatic weapons and throw grenades at any and all Marines in the vicinity of the ambush. Laying down suppressing fire, he moved to the side of the wounded Marine, to protect him from further harm. When medical help arrived, Lance Corporal Roble moved forward to the other Marine, not realizing that he was dead. He continued to engage the enemy, repeatedly exposing himself to small arms fire and grenades, while maneuvering to gain fire superiority. Lance Corporal Roble remained at the forward edge of the fire fight until additional Marines were able to join the action, forcing the enemy to withdraw. Lance Corporal Roble's courageous actions, initiative, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. The Combat Distinguishing Device is Authorized For the President C. C. Bulah Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his sister, Toni Apryasz tonia@iup.edu 5 Mar 2003

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 09/18/2005