In Loving Memory ... LT. William Marshall Roark.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM MARSHALL ROARK - Navy - LT - O3
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 23, 1938
William Marshall Roark was born on 23 October 1938 at Sioux City, Iowa. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, he graduated and was commissioned ensign on 8 June 1960 and advanced to the rank of lieutenant, 1 June 1964. He attended the naval flight school at Pensacola, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Tex., and subsequently reported for duty in Attack Squadron 153 on board USS Coral Sea (CVA 43).
USS Roark (1969-1991) was the first ship to be named in his honor, and the first ship to be named for someone lost in the Vietnam War.
From: BELLEVUE, NE
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and his Three children, Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grandchildren Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian. His Wife has remarried and moved with the children to Montreal. Parents: Father, Frank Frederick Roark and Mother, Madge E. Roark,both from Omaha, Nebraska .
***** Hi Eddieb,
I am a former US Navy sailor that was stationed on the ship named for Lt. Roark. In April of this year, there was a ship's crew reunion held in Omaha which included a graveside service for Lt. Roark. A local TV station did a news story about the service. I was thinking it might be a nice edit if you can somehow include this link to the news story.
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/veterans-meet-in-omaha-to-honor-namesake-of-naval-vessel?fbclid=IwAR3svaqeDaUF9dp3o_qCAqdGZ9BYKbhmAp7zFtXKL-YCT8BnZL67REoN2b4
Thank you for all your efforts to create and maintain Lt. Roark's memorial page.
David Stewart
aka: Archer973
***** "BillionGraves Index"
Name: William M. Roark
Event Type: Burial
Event Date: 1965
Event Place: Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States
Cemetery: Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery
Birth Date: 23 Oct 1938
Death Date: 07 Apr 1965
Latitude: 41.2394409179688
Longitude: -96.0355606079102
LT - O3 - Navy - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1965
Casualty was on Apr 7, 1965
In NORTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was recovered
Panel 01E - Line 102
on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam.
Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him.
When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water.
The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded.
***************************************
William M. Roark, USNA Class of 1960, 1938-1965
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, LT Roark grew up in Omaha, NE, where he graduated from Central High School in 1956. At Central, he was cadet colonel and commanding officer of the school's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. It was also at Central that he met his future bride, Karen Krause.
LT Roark graduated from the Naval Academy in 1960 and was subsequently selected for aviation career path. He attended flight training in Pensacola, FL, and Beeville, TX, before his eventual selection to Attack Squadron 153 in Lemoore, CA.
LT Roark deployed twice with VA-153 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). On the second deployment in 1965, the flight crews of the CORAL SEA saw the first heavy and sustained action of the war in Vietnam during Operation ROLLING THUNDER.
On 7 April, LT Roark was leading a two ship section armed reconnaissance mission in the area of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. His flight detected an anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) site and engaged the target. Following the first attack, as the site had not been destroyed, LT Roark attacked again. On the second attack his aircraft was struck by the AAA. His A-4C Skyhawk was too severely damaged to continue, and LT Roark ejected over hostile coastal water where he was fired upon continuously while parachuting to the sea.
In last letter to his wife, LT Roark wrote "I don't want my sons to fight a war I should have fought. I wish more Americans felt that way. I will not live in a totalitarian society and I don't want you to, either. I believe in God and will resist any force that attempts to remove God from society, no matter what the name".
LT Roark was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Destroyer/ Frigate USS Roark (FF-1053) was named in his honor in 1967. The ROARK's fitting motto was "Victory Through Service".
In 2004, his alma mater, Central High School, named Roark to their hall of fame, and in 2005, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps of Dyersburg, TN, named their unit the LT William Roark squadron in his honor.
LT Roark is survived by his wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and by his children Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grand children Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian.
****************************************
The Class of 1960 Memorial Scholarship honors the sacrifice and bravery of our classmates, Donnie Lee Darrow, Alexander McIver Jr., William Marshall Roark, and Martin Nelson Tull, who were killed in action while in the service of our country.
The scholarship will be managed by the Athletic and Scholarship Division of the U. S. Naval Academy Foundation, and will be provided to a prospective Midshipman who will benefit from a year of study at a prestigious prep school prior to entrance to the Naval Academy. The selection of the candidate will be made by the Dean of Admissions of the Academy. The first recipient of the scholarship will be in 2012.
Letters announcing the scholarship have been sent to the families of these four classmates killed during the Viet Nam war. The following letter of appreciation was addressed to our Class President:
"Dear John,
Thank you and all of the class of 1960 for honoring my father, Donnie Darrow, Alexander McIver, and Martin Tull, with the establishment of this new scholarship. It means a great deal to me and my family.
I know that I speak for all of my family that we are truly blessed by the friendship and warmth given to us over the years. We are humbled by the service and character of the men of Super '60.
Sincerely,
Bill Roark"
**********************************
William Marshall Roark was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 23, 1938, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Frederick Roark. He attended Central High School, Omaha, Nebraska, prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June B, 1960, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of Lieutenant, to date from June I, 1964. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1960, he remained there for duty in the Engineering Department until September that year, then had flight training at the Naval Air Basic Training Command, Pensacola, Florida. From October 1961 until March 1962 he had further training at the Naval Air Advanced Training Command, Corpus Christi, Texas. Designated Naval Aviator on April 9, 1962, he joined Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY ·FIVE and in December that year transferred to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE, operating off the USS CORAL SEA. He was killed in action on April 7, 1965 off the shore of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam following a bombing mission from the USS CORAL SEA. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the latter follows in part: Distinguished Flying Cross: 'For heroism ... on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam. Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him. When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water. The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded .. . ' In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart Medal, Lieutenant ROARK had the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam area of operations).
Tom Burgdorf
Historian
***************************************
wings214 sponsored the memorial you manage for William Roark.
Thank you wings214 for your sponsorship..
Edna
****************************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM MARSHALL ROARK - Navy - LT - O3
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 23, 1938
William Marshall Roark was born on 23 October 1938 at Sioux City, Iowa. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, he graduated and was commissioned ensign on 8 June 1960 and advanced to the rank of lieutenant, 1 June 1964. He attended the naval flight school at Pensacola, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Tex., and subsequently reported for duty in Attack Squadron 153 on board USS Coral Sea (CVA 43).
USS Roark (1969-1991) was the first ship to be named in his honor, and the first ship to be named for someone lost in the Vietnam War.
From: BELLEVUE, NE
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and his Three children, Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grandchildren Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian. His Wife has remarried and moved with the children to Montreal. Parents: Father, Frank Frederick Roark and Mother, Madge E. Roark,both from Omaha, Nebraska .
***** Hi Eddieb,
I am a former US Navy sailor that was stationed on the ship named for Lt. Roark. In April of this year, there was a ship's crew reunion held in Omaha which included a graveside service for Lt. Roark. A local TV station did a news story about the service. I was thinking it might be a nice edit if you can somehow include this link to the news story.
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/veterans-meet-in-omaha-to-honor-namesake-of-naval-vessel?fbclid=IwAR3svaqeDaUF9dp3o_qCAqdGZ9BYKbhmAp7zFtXKL-YCT8BnZL67REoN2b4
Thank you for all your efforts to create and maintain Lt. Roark's memorial page.
David Stewart
aka: Archer973
***** "BillionGraves Index"
Name: William M. Roark
Event Type: Burial
Event Date: 1965
Event Place: Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States
Cemetery: Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery
Birth Date: 23 Oct 1938
Death Date: 07 Apr 1965
Latitude: 41.2394409179688
Longitude: -96.0355606079102
LT - O3 - Navy - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1965
Casualty was on Apr 7, 1965
In NORTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was recovered
Panel 01E - Line 102
on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam.
Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him.
When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water.
The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded.
***************************************
William M. Roark, USNA Class of 1960, 1938-1965
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, LT Roark grew up in Omaha, NE, where he graduated from Central High School in 1956. At Central, he was cadet colonel and commanding officer of the school's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. It was also at Central that he met his future bride, Karen Krause.
LT Roark graduated from the Naval Academy in 1960 and was subsequently selected for aviation career path. He attended flight training in Pensacola, FL, and Beeville, TX, before his eventual selection to Attack Squadron 153 in Lemoore, CA.
LT Roark deployed twice with VA-153 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). On the second deployment in 1965, the flight crews of the CORAL SEA saw the first heavy and sustained action of the war in Vietnam during Operation ROLLING THUNDER.
On 7 April, LT Roark was leading a two ship section armed reconnaissance mission in the area of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. His flight detected an anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) site and engaged the target. Following the first attack, as the site had not been destroyed, LT Roark attacked again. On the second attack his aircraft was struck by the AAA. His A-4C Skyhawk was too severely damaged to continue, and LT Roark ejected over hostile coastal water where he was fired upon continuously while parachuting to the sea.
In last letter to his wife, LT Roark wrote "I don't want my sons to fight a war I should have fought. I wish more Americans felt that way. I will not live in a totalitarian society and I don't want you to, either. I believe in God and will resist any force that attempts to remove God from society, no matter what the name".
LT Roark was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Destroyer/ Frigate USS Roark (FF-1053) was named in his honor in 1967. The ROARK's fitting motto was "Victory Through Service".
In 2004, his alma mater, Central High School, named Roark to their hall of fame, and in 2005, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps of Dyersburg, TN, named their unit the LT William Roark squadron in his honor.
LT Roark is survived by his wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and by his children Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grand children Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian.
****************************************
The Class of 1960 Memorial Scholarship honors the sacrifice and bravery of our classmates, Donnie Lee Darrow, Alexander McIver Jr., William Marshall Roark, and Martin Nelson Tull, who were killed in action while in the service of our country.
The scholarship will be managed by the Athletic and Scholarship Division of the U. S. Naval Academy Foundation, and will be provided to a prospective Midshipman who will benefit from a year of study at a prestigious prep school prior to entrance to the Naval Academy. The selection of the candidate will be made by the Dean of Admissions of the Academy. The first recipient of the scholarship will be in 2012.
Letters announcing the scholarship have been sent to the families of these four classmates killed during the Viet Nam war. The following letter of appreciation was addressed to our Class President:
"Dear John,
Thank you and all of the class of 1960 for honoring my father, Donnie Darrow, Alexander McIver, and Martin Tull, with the establishment of this new scholarship. It means a great deal to me and my family.
I know that I speak for all of my family that we are truly blessed by the friendship and warmth given to us over the years. We are humbled by the service and character of the men of Super '60.
Sincerely,
Bill Roark"
**********************************
William Marshall Roark was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 23, 1938, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Frederick Roark. He attended Central High School, Omaha, Nebraska, prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June B, 1960, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of Lieutenant, to date from June I, 1964. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1960, he remained there for duty in the Engineering Department until September that year, then had flight training at the Naval Air Basic Training Command, Pensacola, Florida. From October 1961 until March 1962 he had further training at the Naval Air Advanced Training Command, Corpus Christi, Texas. Designated Naval Aviator on April 9, 1962, he joined Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY ·FIVE and in December that year transferred to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE, operating off the USS CORAL SEA. He was killed in action on April 7, 1965 off the shore of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam following a bombing mission from the USS CORAL SEA. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the latter follows in part: Distinguished Flying Cross: 'For heroism ... on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam. Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him. When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water. The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded .. . ' In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart Medal, Lieutenant ROARK had the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam area of operations).
Tom Burgdorf
Historian
***************************************
wings214 sponsored the memorial you manage for William Roark.
Thank you wings214 for your sponsorship..
Edna
****************************************
.
In Loving Memory ... LT. William Marshall Roark.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM MARSHALL ROARK - Navy - LT - O3
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 23, 1938
William Marshall Roark was born on 23 October 1938 at Sioux City, Iowa. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, he graduated and was commissioned ensign on 8 June 1960 and advanced to the rank of lieutenant, 1 June 1964. He attended the naval flight school at Pensacola, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Tex., and subsequently reported for duty in Attack Squadron 153 on board USS Coral Sea (CVA 43).
USS Roark (1969-1991) was the first ship to be named in his honor, and the first ship to be named for someone lost in the Vietnam War.
From: BELLEVUE, NE
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and his Three children, Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grandchildren Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian. His Wife has remarried and moved with the children to Montreal. Parents: Father, Frank Frederick Roark and Mother, Madge E. Roark,both from Omaha, Nebraska .
***** Hi Eddieb,
I am a former US Navy sailor that was stationed on the ship named for Lt. Roark. In April of this year, there was a ship's crew reunion held in Omaha which included a graveside service for Lt. Roark. A local TV station did a news story about the service. I was thinking it might be a nice edit if you can somehow include this link to the news story.
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/veterans-meet-in-omaha-to-honor-namesake-of-naval-vessel?fbclid=IwAR3svaqeDaUF9dp3o_qCAqdGZ9BYKbhmAp7zFtXKL-YCT8BnZL67REoN2b4
Thank you for all your efforts to create and maintain Lt. Roark's memorial page.
David Stewart
aka: Archer973
***** "BillionGraves Index"
Name: William M. Roark
Event Type: Burial
Event Date: 1965
Event Place: Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States
Cemetery: Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery
Birth Date: 23 Oct 1938
Death Date: 07 Apr 1965
Latitude: 41.2394409179688
Longitude: -96.0355606079102
LT - O3 - Navy - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1965
Casualty was on Apr 7, 1965
In NORTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was recovered
Panel 01E - Line 102
on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam.
Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him.
When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water.
The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded.
***************************************
William M. Roark, USNA Class of 1960, 1938-1965
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, LT Roark grew up in Omaha, NE, where he graduated from Central High School in 1956. At Central, he was cadet colonel and commanding officer of the school's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. It was also at Central that he met his future bride, Karen Krause.
LT Roark graduated from the Naval Academy in 1960 and was subsequently selected for aviation career path. He attended flight training in Pensacola, FL, and Beeville, TX, before his eventual selection to Attack Squadron 153 in Lemoore, CA.
LT Roark deployed twice with VA-153 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). On the second deployment in 1965, the flight crews of the CORAL SEA saw the first heavy and sustained action of the war in Vietnam during Operation ROLLING THUNDER.
On 7 April, LT Roark was leading a two ship section armed reconnaissance mission in the area of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. His flight detected an anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) site and engaged the target. Following the first attack, as the site had not been destroyed, LT Roark attacked again. On the second attack his aircraft was struck by the AAA. His A-4C Skyhawk was too severely damaged to continue, and LT Roark ejected over hostile coastal water where he was fired upon continuously while parachuting to the sea.
In last letter to his wife, LT Roark wrote "I don't want my sons to fight a war I should have fought. I wish more Americans felt that way. I will not live in a totalitarian society and I don't want you to, either. I believe in God and will resist any force that attempts to remove God from society, no matter what the name".
LT Roark was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Destroyer/ Frigate USS Roark (FF-1053) was named in his honor in 1967. The ROARK's fitting motto was "Victory Through Service".
In 2004, his alma mater, Central High School, named Roark to their hall of fame, and in 2005, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps of Dyersburg, TN, named their unit the LT William Roark squadron in his honor.
LT Roark is survived by his wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and by his children Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grand children Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian.
****************************************
The Class of 1960 Memorial Scholarship honors the sacrifice and bravery of our classmates, Donnie Lee Darrow, Alexander McIver Jr., William Marshall Roark, and Martin Nelson Tull, who were killed in action while in the service of our country.
The scholarship will be managed by the Athletic and Scholarship Division of the U. S. Naval Academy Foundation, and will be provided to a prospective Midshipman who will benefit from a year of study at a prestigious prep school prior to entrance to the Naval Academy. The selection of the candidate will be made by the Dean of Admissions of the Academy. The first recipient of the scholarship will be in 2012.
Letters announcing the scholarship have been sent to the families of these four classmates killed during the Viet Nam war. The following letter of appreciation was addressed to our Class President:
"Dear John,
Thank you and all of the class of 1960 for honoring my father, Donnie Darrow, Alexander McIver, and Martin Tull, with the establishment of this new scholarship. It means a great deal to me and my family.
I know that I speak for all of my family that we are truly blessed by the friendship and warmth given to us over the years. We are humbled by the service and character of the men of Super '60.
Sincerely,
Bill Roark"
**********************************
William Marshall Roark was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 23, 1938, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Frederick Roark. He attended Central High School, Omaha, Nebraska, prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June B, 1960, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of Lieutenant, to date from June I, 1964. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1960, he remained there for duty in the Engineering Department until September that year, then had flight training at the Naval Air Basic Training Command, Pensacola, Florida. From October 1961 until March 1962 he had further training at the Naval Air Advanced Training Command, Corpus Christi, Texas. Designated Naval Aviator on April 9, 1962, he joined Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY ·FIVE and in December that year transferred to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE, operating off the USS CORAL SEA. He was killed in action on April 7, 1965 off the shore of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam following a bombing mission from the USS CORAL SEA. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the latter follows in part: Distinguished Flying Cross: 'For heroism ... on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam. Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him. When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water. The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded .. . ' In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart Medal, Lieutenant ROARK had the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam area of operations).
Tom Burgdorf
Historian
***************************************
wings214 sponsored the memorial you manage for William Roark.
Thank you wings214 for your sponsorship..
Edna
****************************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
WILLIAM MARSHALL ROARK - Navy - LT - O3
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 23, 1938
William Marshall Roark was born on 23 October 1938 at Sioux City, Iowa. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956, he graduated and was commissioned ensign on 8 June 1960 and advanced to the rank of lieutenant, 1 June 1964. He attended the naval flight school at Pensacola, Fla., and Corpus Christi, Tex., and subsequently reported for duty in Attack Squadron 153 on board USS Coral Sea (CVA 43).
USS Roark (1969-1991) was the first ship to be named in his honor, and the first ship to be named for someone lost in the Vietnam War.
From: BELLEVUE, NE
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and his Three children, Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grandchildren Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian. His Wife has remarried and moved with the children to Montreal. Parents: Father, Frank Frederick Roark and Mother, Madge E. Roark,both from Omaha, Nebraska .
***** Hi Eddieb,
I am a former US Navy sailor that was stationed on the ship named for Lt. Roark. In April of this year, there was a ship's crew reunion held in Omaha which included a graveside service for Lt. Roark. A local TV station did a news story about the service. I was thinking it might be a nice edit if you can somehow include this link to the news story.
https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-news/veterans-meet-in-omaha-to-honor-namesake-of-naval-vessel?fbclid=IwAR3svaqeDaUF9dp3o_qCAqdGZ9BYKbhmAp7zFtXKL-YCT8BnZL67REoN2b4
Thank you for all your efforts to create and maintain Lt. Roark's memorial page.
David Stewart
aka: Archer973
***** "BillionGraves Index"
Name: William M. Roark
Event Type: Burial
Event Date: 1965
Event Place: Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States
Cemetery: Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery
Birth Date: 23 Oct 1938
Death Date: 07 Apr 1965
Latitude: 41.2394409179688
Longitude: -96.0355606079102
LT - O3 - Navy - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Apr 7, 1965
Casualty was on Apr 7, 1965
In NORTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was recovered
Panel 01E - Line 102
on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam.
Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him.
When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water.
The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded.
***************************************
William M. Roark, USNA Class of 1960, 1938-1965
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, LT Roark grew up in Omaha, NE, where he graduated from Central High School in 1956. At Central, he was cadet colonel and commanding officer of the school's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. It was also at Central that he met his future bride, Karen Krause.
LT Roark graduated from the Naval Academy in 1960 and was subsequently selected for aviation career path. He attended flight training in Pensacola, FL, and Beeville, TX, before his eventual selection to Attack Squadron 153 in Lemoore, CA.
LT Roark deployed twice with VA-153 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). On the second deployment in 1965, the flight crews of the CORAL SEA saw the first heavy and sustained action of the war in Vietnam during Operation ROLLING THUNDER.
On 7 April, LT Roark was leading a two ship section armed reconnaissance mission in the area of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. His flight detected an anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) site and engaged the target. Following the first attack, as the site had not been destroyed, LT Roark attacked again. On the second attack his aircraft was struck by the AAA. His A-4C Skyhawk was too severely damaged to continue, and LT Roark ejected over hostile coastal water where he was fired upon continuously while parachuting to the sea.
In last letter to his wife, LT Roark wrote "I don't want my sons to fight a war I should have fought. I wish more Americans felt that way. I will not live in a totalitarian society and I don't want you to, either. I believe in God and will resist any force that attempts to remove God from society, no matter what the name".
LT Roark was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Destroyer/ Frigate USS Roark (FF-1053) was named in his honor in 1967. The ROARK's fitting motto was "Victory Through Service".
In 2004, his alma mater, Central High School, named Roark to their hall of fame, and in 2005, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps of Dyersburg, TN, named their unit the LT William Roark squadron in his honor.
LT Roark is survived by his wife, Karen Phillips of Woodbridge, CT, and by his children Lisa Logan, John Roark, LCDR William Roark, and grand children Travis, Devin, Karleigh, Courtney, Lily and Ian.
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The Class of 1960 Memorial Scholarship honors the sacrifice and bravery of our classmates, Donnie Lee Darrow, Alexander McIver Jr., William Marshall Roark, and Martin Nelson Tull, who were killed in action while in the service of our country.
The scholarship will be managed by the Athletic and Scholarship Division of the U. S. Naval Academy Foundation, and will be provided to a prospective Midshipman who will benefit from a year of study at a prestigious prep school prior to entrance to the Naval Academy. The selection of the candidate will be made by the Dean of Admissions of the Academy. The first recipient of the scholarship will be in 2012.
Letters announcing the scholarship have been sent to the families of these four classmates killed during the Viet Nam war. The following letter of appreciation was addressed to our Class President:
"Dear John,
Thank you and all of the class of 1960 for honoring my father, Donnie Darrow, Alexander McIver, and Martin Tull, with the establishment of this new scholarship. It means a great deal to me and my family.
I know that I speak for all of my family that we are truly blessed by the friendship and warmth given to us over the years. We are humbled by the service and character of the men of Super '60.
Sincerely,
Bill Roark"
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William Marshall Roark was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 23, 1938, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Frederick Roark. He attended Central High School, Omaha, Nebraska, prior to entering the U.S. Naval Academy in 1956. Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June B, 1960, he subsequently advanced in rank to that of Lieutenant, to date from June I, 1964. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1960, he remained there for duty in the Engineering Department until September that year, then had flight training at the Naval Air Basic Training Command, Pensacola, Florida. From October 1961 until March 1962 he had further training at the Naval Air Advanced Training Command, Corpus Christi, Texas. Designated Naval Aviator on April 9, 1962, he joined Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWENTY ·FIVE and in December that year transferred to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE, operating off the USS CORAL SEA. He was killed in action on April 7, 1965 off the shore of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam following a bombing mission from the USS CORAL SEA. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation for the latter follows in part: Distinguished Flying Cross: 'For heroism ... on April 7, 1965 as a jet attack pilot in Attack Squadron ONE FIVE THREE, aboard the USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43). during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Viet Nam. Completing several successful attacks against military targets along a coastal highway in North Vietnam when his flight was taken under concentrated fire by numerous antiaircraft and automatic gun positions, Lieutenant ROARK commenced an attack against the gun emplacements despite the withering antiaircraft fire directed at him. When his aircraft was struck by hostile fire, he flew his disabled craft toward the water and successfully ejected, following which he was fired upon continuously during his parachute descent, and after reaching the water. The intense barrage of antiaircraft, automatic weapons and mortar fire directed onto the water by the enemy prevented helicopter rescue of Lieutenant ROARK, who had been mortally wounded .. . ' In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart Medal, Lieutenant ROARK had the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Viet Nam area of operations).
Tom Burgdorf
Historian
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wings214 sponsored the memorial you manage for William Roark.
Thank you wings214 for your sponsorship..
Edna
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