OVERWEG, ROGER DALE
OVERWEG, ROGER DALE
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company B, 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade,
Date of Action: September 19, 1970
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is
presented to Roger Dale Overweg, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism
in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion,
503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Sergeant Overweg distinguished himself by
exceptionally valorous actions on 19 September 1970 while serving as a member of
a combat patrol during search operations in the mountainous area of Binh Dinh
Province. While advancing through the rugged terrain in search of an enemy camp,
the allies observed an enemy soldier run into an underground cave complex. The
allies quickly sent a three-man team into the cave to search for the enemy
soldier. Almost immediately they were taken under fire and all three men were
seriously wounded. Sergeant Overweg, realizing the gravity of the situation,
secured a rope and descended into the cave to assist his comrades. Soon after
dragging one of the soldiers to a rescue point, the enemy unleashed a flurry of
fire which mortally wounded Sergeant Overweg. Sergeant Overweg's extraordinary
heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
HQ US Army, Vietnam, General
Orders No. 5248 (December 10, 1970)
Home Town: Zeeland, Michigan
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