PFC Robert E. Roach
Source: Greensboro Record (c/o Darrin Mason)
Private First Class (PFC) Robert Eugene Roach of 326th Medical Company, 101st Airborne Division, was born in Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, to Carl E. and Ella (Ryan) Roach on November 25, 1911. He had one brother, George H., and four sisters: Alta L., Mary C., Margaret, and Myra Roach. George served as a captain in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Robert graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1930, where he excelled in American football and basketball. He registered for the draft in his hometown on October 16, 1940. At the time, he was working as a specialty salesman for A&P Tea Company, a chain of grocery stores in America. Before enlisting, he was employed by Hanes Funeral Home. Robert entered the service on March 14, 1942, and was assigned to the 326th Medical Company.
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Operation Keokuk was the third and final assault by the 101st Airborne Division. The goal of Keokuk was to deliver reinforcements, including personnel and equipment, by glider to support the isolated parachutists in Normandy. The landing was scheduled for 9:00 PM on the landing zone (LZ) located on the northwestern edge of Hiesville, which was adjacent to drop zone “C.”
Operation Keokuk also involved medical personnel and equipment from the 326th Medical Company. SGT John E. Woodrich of the 326th Medical Company observed the Keokuk glider mission.
“We saw many of the gliders that came in that night, and I don’t see how the men got out of the Horsa gliders alive because they splintered in a million pieces. The [Waco glider] CG-4A, unless the nose hit a tree right on the nose, came thru OK. The wings and tail in most cases were sheared off, but then they were designed to come apart on landing.”
SSGT Ed Miller recalled that,
“Our glider landings had been costly. We had lost four men, definitely killed: [Private Robert E.] Roach, [Private Harry K.] Bennett, [Private Roger K.] Powell, and Private [Charles W.] Tallman.”
Since all four men are listed as killed in action on June 8, it is possible that their bodies were recovered by a Graves Registration Service team in Normandy on that day. Because they participated in the glider mission on D-Day, they actually lost their lives two days earlier.
Another four Screaming Eagles had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Source: Find a Grave (c/o NCSearch)
On June 6, 1944, PFC Robert Roach died at age 32. Although all available records list him as killed in action on June 8, his tombstone correctly states he died on June 6.
PFC Roach was first buried in the temporary military cemetery in Hiesville, Normandy, in Plot A, Row 10, Grave 96. On July 3, 1944, his remains were moved to the U.S. Military Cemetery in Blosville, Normandy, where he was buried at Plot I, Row 4, Grave 79.
On December 16, 1947, his body was disinterred again for reburial back home. Robert’s remains were transported by truck to Cherbourg and then by the U.S. Army transport ship John L. McCarley to New York. He was later taken by train to Greensboro, where he has been buried at the Rehobeth United Methodist Church Cemetery since his reburial on May 1, 1948.
May he rest in peace. Happy Birthday in Heaven, Robert.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Sources:
Family Search
Letter John E. Woodrich to George Koskimaki