Roger McCann on the U.S.S. Repose Hospital Ship// 12 SEPT '69

Roger McCann, India 3/5 Entered USMC out of High School, '68. Went through Parris Island, then ITR. When to 'Nam in '69 right after basic. Went to India Co. and was there for nine months...First squad// First Platoon// Squad leader. Wounded 3 times and sent home.

Went to Camp Lejeune for about 2 months, and then to 8th & I Marine Barracks, Wash. DC. Assigned to Presidential Retreat @ Camp David. Decorated with Silver Star at Iwo Jima Monument in Arlington Cemetery in July. '70.

Out of Corps in July '71. Went to work for Metro PD in Wash, DC, and then U.S. Secret Service until 1980. Came back 'home," and was Police Chief for 12 years and retired 4 years ago.

Am currently a Local Criminal Court Judge, Licensed PI and Director of Security for small College. Am waiting for youngest daughter to graduate, then I'm "outta here." Will spend time playing golf and "drowning worms."~R

(click pictures to enlarge)



1. Tex
2. Cassidy
3. Steve Gill
4. All 3 unknown (Don Huber may be in the middle)
5. Mike Bailey
6. Ski. Behind Ski on the left is Ralph Green and Jim Castor on the right
7. On the right is Ralph Green from Pensacola, FL (holding Roger's M-14). On the left is "Spanky" Norris
8. Jim Castor (KIA)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting 

the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ROGER D. McCANN

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

    for service as set forth in the following

  CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Squad Leader with Company I, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

 On 11 September 1969, Company I was assaulting enemy positions in a tree line about one mile west of the An Hoa Combat Base when the Marines came under intense hostile small arms, machine gun, and automatic weapons fire. 

Fearlessly maneuvering his squad to within  fifteen meters of the enemy positions, Private First Class McCann slowly began to advance toward the hostile force under the covering fire of an adjacent squad.  Crawling forward alone, through both enemy and friendly fire, he reached the tree line and destroyed a hostile rifle position.  

Continuing into the tree line, he and one of his men managed to silence an enemy rocket-propelled grenade position before Private First Class McCann was wounded.  Undaunted, he valiantly rushed a machine gun position and killed the enemy machine gunner in hand-to-hand combat. Then, despite his painful injury, he returned to the edge of the tree line, brought his squad into it and secured the right flank, enabling the Marines to overrun the remaining hostile positions.  

His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in the defeat of the enemy force.  By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of greatest personal danger, Private First Class McCann upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

FOR THE PRESIDENT

 H.W. BUSE, JR.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING GENERAL, FLEET MARINE FORCE, PACIFIC

3/5 Reunion 2002
LaGrange, Georgia

I/3/5 Marines of 1st plt. with Norris Family; Dennis Tenety, Ed Mason, Kathy Norris, Paul Smith, Mrs. Wilma Norris, Jimmie Christy, and Roger McCann. "Spanky" Norris was KIA 13 Aug. '69, and was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.

"Spanky" Norris Memorial page

James Castor Memorial page

India 3/5 Website

(Title and by Redeye)