Against All Odds: The Actions of Sgt. Gordon R. Roberts

Gordon R. Roberts served as a rifleman in Company B. His platoon was advancing along a ridge to assault heavily fortified enemy bunkers that had pinned down an adjacent friendly company. As they approached, they came under intense automatic weapons and grenade fire from camouflaged enemy positions on a hill above. Realizing his platoon was pinned and the mission at risk, Sgt. Roberts swiftly crawled toward the nearest bunker. Disregarding his own safety, he sprang to his feet, charged the bunker, and fired as he advanced, successfully silencing the two-man enemy position.

Without hesitation, Sgt. Roberts continued his one-man assault on a second bunker. As he neared it, a burst of enemy fire knocked his rifle from his hands. Undeterred, he picked up a fallen comrade’s rifle and pressed on, eliminating the second bunker. He then moved to a third bunker, destroying it with well-aimed grenades. Now separated from his platoon, Sgt. Roberts persisted, taking on a fourth enemy emplacement. Braving heavy fire, he managed to reach elements of the neighboring company that had been pinned down.

Under hostile fire, Sgt. Roberts assisted in moving wounded soldiers from exposed areas to a safer evacuation zone before returning to his unit. His fearless and selfless actions directly saved the lives of his comrades, inspired his fellow soldiers, and led to the enemy’s defeat. His heroism earned him the Medal of Honor.