World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Army during World War I as a Corporal in Company A, 344th Battalion, United States Army Tank Corps. On October 4, 1918 his unit was engaged in a fierce battle at the Montrebeau Woods, France. This was part of the famous St. Mihel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives. His citation reads, Corporal Roberts, a tank driver, was moving his tank into a clump of bushes to afford protection to another tank which had become disabled. The tank slid into a shell hole, 10 feet deep, filled with water and was immediately submerged. Knowing that only 1 of the 2 men in the tank could escape, Cpl. Roberts said to his gunner, "Well, only one of us can get out, and out you go," whereupon he pushed his companion through the back door of the tank and was himself drowned. Cpl. Roberts was awarded the CMOH posthumously by authority of The War Department General Order 16, 1919. In honor of Cpl. Roberts, a California Native, Camp Nacimiento which was still under construction was renamed by The War Department "Camp Roberts" on Jan. 1, 1941. Camp Roberts, located 12 miles north of Paso Robles, California, on US Highway 101, served as a training and placement center through World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. It continues in service as a training and deployment center also the home of The California National Guard. Harold Roberts lies at rest in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France. He was 22 years old.
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the United States Army during World War I as a Corporal in Company A, 344th Battalion, United States Army Tank Corps. On October 4, 1918 his unit was engaged in a fierce battle at the Montrebeau Woods, France. This was part of the famous St. Mihel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives. His citation reads, Corporal Roberts, a tank driver, was moving his tank into a clump of bushes to afford protection to another tank which had become disabled. The tank slid into a shell hole, 10 feet deep, filled with water and was immediately submerged. Knowing that only 1 of the 2 men in the tank could escape, Cpl. Roberts said to his gunner, "Well, only one of us can get out, and out you go," whereupon he pushed his companion through the back door of the tank and was himself drowned. Cpl. Roberts was awarded the CMOH posthumously by authority of The War Department General Order 16, 1919. In honor of Cpl. Roberts, a California Native, Camp Nacimiento which was still under construction was renamed by The War Department "Camp Roberts" on Jan. 1, 1941. Camp Roberts, located 12 miles north of Paso Robles, California, on US Highway 101, served as a training and placement center through World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. It continues in service as a training and deployment center also the home of The California National Guard. Harold Roberts lies at rest in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France. He was 22 years old.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
(United States Army Medal of Honor (Gillespie) engraved image)
HAROLD W. ROBERTS
CORPL. 344 BATT' N. TANK CORPS
CALIFORNIA OCT. 6, 1918
M.H. U.S.A.
IT. C. DI G.
FR. C. DE G.
FR. MED. MIL.
(vertically down lower cross: "MEDAL OF HONOR")
Family Members
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