Truth, Lies and In Between

Today’s heroes…16 June.

Harold Roberts
Place of birth: Buffalo, N.Y.
Home of record: Buffalo, N.Y.

Awards and Citations

Navy Cross

Awarded for actions during the World War II

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Colonel Harold C. Roberts (MCSN: 0-3825), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as commanding Officer of the Twenty-Second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 16 June 1945. Preparing for the assault on an enemy-held ridge in which his regiment was making the main effort of a Marine Division, Colonel Roberts established his observation post on a hill about one-half mile from the objective, whence he could see the entire regimental zone of action. When by-passed Japanese pockets of resistance on the hill became active and subjected the observation post to constant, intense mortar, grenade, and small-arms fire, he courageously refused to leave his post but continued at the risk of his life to direct the assault and, by his outstanding leadership and superb coordination and employment of the combat units under his control, was largely responsible for the rapid seizure of the objective by his regiment. While observing the final overpowering of the enemy resistance, he was mortally wounded by hostile rifle fire. His aggressiveness and brilliant combat tactics were major factors in the successful operation of the division, and reflect the highest credit upon Colonel Roberts and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Colonel
Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 34821 (November 19, 1945)

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Robert Baltz
Date of birth: 1930
Home of record: Humboldt, Calif.

Awards and Citations

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert L. Baltz (ASN: 0-2028370), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Baltz distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Tang-Wan-ni, Korea. On the morning of 16 June 1952, Lieutenant Baltz led an assault squad in an attack on a heavily-fortified hill to capture or kill enemy troops. While the group was advancing toward the position, an intense barrage of enemy small-arms, mortar, and artillery fire was encountered. In spite of the dangers involved, Lieutenant Baltz left the squad and circled an enemy bunker to throw grenades into the tunnel which connected the communications trench and the bunker. Returning to his squad, Lieutenant Baltz saw that the enemy was moving in reinforcements. Unhesitatingly, he assaulted the hill, encouraging his men to follow. Lieutenant Baltz had advanced only a few yards when he was hit by a burst of fire from an enemy burp-gun and mortally wounded.

Service: Army
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 297 (March 15, 1953)

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Lawrence Cordova

Awards and Citations

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Korean War

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Lawrence Cordova, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Infantry Company of the 7th Infantry Division. Sergeant Cordova distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Tang-Wan-Ni, Korea, on 16 June 1952. On that date, Sergeant Cordova, while leading an automatic rifle team in a raid on a strategic hill, consistently exposed himself to an intense barrage of hostile fire to direct accurate and deadly fire into the enemy ranks. In his attempt to pin down the hostile troops so that the assault forces could move in, Sergeant Cordova unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, rose from his covered position and charged the strongly fortified enemy emplacements, using hand grenades and carbine fire. When he had exhausted his supply of ammunition, Sergeant Cordova took an automatic rifle from one of his comrades and moved directly into the enemy positions. Sergeant Cordova refused to be stopped by the overwhelming numerical superiority of the enemy forces until his platoon leader gave him a direct order to withdraw. He then continued to expose himself to hostile fire while directing the other members of the platoon in providing covering-fire for the evacuation of the dead and wounded.

Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 511 (May 26, 1953)

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Jerrald Thompson
Date of birth: 5 Nov. 1941
Home of record: Columbus, Ohio

On the date that he earned the Navy Cross, Jerrald Thompson was part of an 18-man reconnaissance patrol under Marine Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard, that engaged in enemy in actions that earned Howard the Medal of Honor, and earned Thompson and three of his comrades the Navy Cross. The remaining men were awarded Silver Stars netting the 18-man patrol a combined total of 1 Medal of Honor, 4 Navy Crosses, 13 Silver Stars, and 18 Purple Hearts–perhaps making them the Most Decorated squad-size unit in Marine Corps history.

Awards and Citations

Navy Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Jerrald Rich Thompson (MCSN: 1892012), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a Squad Leader serving with the First Platoon, Company C, First Force Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Republic of Vietnam on 16 June 1966. While occupying an observation post at 0100 on Hill 488, Quang Tin Province, deep in enemy controlled territory, the platoon of 18 men was subjected to an intense assault by a North Vietnamese unit estimated at battalion size. Corporal Thompson immediately ordered his squad to withdraw to a predetermined defensive perimeter. Braving a hail of small arms fire, automatic weapons, and mortar fire, the small bank of courageous Marines fought their way to the relative safety of the defensive position. In the course of this action, Corporal Thompson was painfully wounded by an enemy hand grenade and was unable to proceed. Armed with only a knife, he engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat and killed two before he fell, mortally wounded. By his indomitable fighting spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds he was instrumental in the defense of his platoon’s position. Corporal Thompson’s courageous action under hostile fire reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Corporal
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals

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William Goodsell
Date of birth: 7 May 1929
Home of record: Seattle, Wash.

Awards and Citations

Navy Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Major William Joseph Goodsell (MCSN: 0-55282), United States Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism while serving with Marine Observation Squadron SIX (VMO-6), Marine Aircraft Group SIXTEEN, First Marine Aircraft Wing, in the Republic of Vietnam on 16 June 1966. Serving as Tactical Air Coordinator (Airborne) in an armed UH-1F helicopter, Major Goodsell made repeated rocket and machine gun attacks against an enemy battalion that had encircled and trapped a Marine reconnaissance unit. When a relieving force was airlifted into the battle, he guided the transport helicopters to the landing zone and delivered such devastating attacks on the enemy positions that only one aircraft in the assault force was struck by hostile fire. He then proceeded to fly dangerously low to seek out enemy positions and aid the assault force in their rescue of the beleaguered reconnaissance unit. When a juncture of the units was accomplished, he guided the medical evacuation helicopters to the friendly positions where eighteen wounded Marines lay waiting. Realizing the necessity to accurately mark the Marine positions because of the close proximity of the enemy, he courageously elected to fly very low and slow over the position to mark it with a smoke grenade. As his mark landed directly on target, he was taken under fire by several automatic weapons positions and although mortally wounded he maintained control of his aircraft until relieved by his copilot. By his bravery and fearless devotion to duty, Major Goodsell reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

Service: Marine Corps Reserve
Rank: Major
Authority: Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals