Maurice E. Roach

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Maurice E. Roach (0-8492), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Regiment in Korea, from 26 September to 4 October 1950. Major Roach constantly demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, skill and courage while serving as Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion. Leading his battalion in its first action against enemy forces, he, by his competence and professional knowledge of infantry tactics, conducted the operations of his battalion in a most expeditious and efficient manner. In the battalion’s first assault on 26 September 1950, by his direction and supervision, the battalion overcame an elaborate enemy defense on a hill guarding the northwest approaches to Seoul, Korea. On 2 October, the battalion was stopped by a strongly fortified enemy position near Uijong-Bu, Korea. By his complete knowledge of the situation, the enemy position were overrun in a minimum amount of time. During this period he constantly operated in the forward areas, where he, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, maintained close contact with the front lines so as to keep abreast of the situation in order to best direct the tactical employment of his battalion. His timely actions, complete knowledge of infantry tactics and aggressiveness, inspired all members of his command and were directly instrumental in the success achieved by his battalion. Major Roach’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.