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Another Amazing Story

By Charlie

Roberts, a native of Lebanon, Ohio, joined the Army three days after graduating from high school, a natural step for someone from a military family growing up in a small, patriotic town.
At the age of 17, he was an Army infantryman.

Roberts was a rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, sent to eliminate enemy bunkers along a ridge. While approaching the bunkers, his convoy was hit by heavy fire from automatic weapons and grenades.

Moving quickly, he made his way from his immobilized platoon towards the closest bunker, firing while running, silencing bunker after bunker. Despite the waves of enemy fire, he helped the wounded and continued fighting -- finally returning to his unit.

Roberts’ actions not only saved the lives of Soldiers and helped defeat the enemy, but earned him a spot in history as a Medal of Honor recipient -- at the age of 19.

An amazing story, even more interesting is this:

Now a lieutenant colonel, Roberts has left footprints in the sands of Iraq and in the hearts and minds of today’s Soldiers as he offered experience and advice. He may be the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, but he sees himself as a comrade, a leader and developer of troops.
“I think everyone thinks a Medal of Honor somehow translates into leadership, but I don’t think that is inherently accurate,” says Roberts. He notes that actions speak louder than words.

LTC Gordon Roberts' story is a great one, but is also also another overlooked tale of greatness in the US Armed Forces. Here's his Medal of Honor story.

April 29, 2006 04:50 PM General Interest