U.S. Army Cpl. Roger Black served from June 1969 to March 1971 and was injured June 24, 1970, while serving in Vietnam.
On Friday, at the Booker T. Washington Community and Recreation Center, Black finally received some long overdue awards earned during his time in service.
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and Sgt. Gib Rosetter, Black’s platoon sergeant in Vietnam, presented Black with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Expert Badge and Machine Gun Bar and Rifle Bar and the Marksman Badge and Auto Rifle Bar.
“One of my favorite parts of my job is when I get the rare privilege to present medals to veterans who earned them many years before,” Edwards said. “While our nation may have been slow in recognizing you with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, I hope you know we’ll never forget the service and sacrifice of you and your comrades.”
Rosetter pinned the medals on Black before the two saluted one another and embraced.
Army Lt. Scott Tekell read the names of members of those killed in action who served with Black in the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, Company Delta, Vietnam.
“I don’t have much to say, except that I’m very glad and honored to have been able to serve my country,” Black said. “I’m glad to have my staff sergeant who was there with me here today. He had it worse there than I did.”
Edwards closed the ceremony by thanking all Vietnam veterans for their service.
“I know you were not honored the way you should have been when you came home,” Edwards said. “But your service in Vietnam was a huge part of making communism pay a terrible price. And you helped the United States win the 50-year Cold War.”
Johnson County
Related Photos
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U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, left, presents one of several medals to Army Cpl. Roger Black, center, during a ceremony held at the Booker T. Washington Community and Recreation Center on Friday. Also pictured is Black’s platoon sergeant in Vietnam, Gib Rosetter. Matt Smith/Times-Review
Discussion
Long time coming
Veteran receives awards earned in Vietnam
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