Hometown Proud: Roger H.C. Donlon

Roger H. C. Donlon (January 30, 1934 - January 25, 2024) was born in Saugerties, NY. He was a Retired Colonel from the United States Army. Donlon was the first person to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War, and was the first member of the U.S. Army Special Forces to be so honored. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while defending a U.S. military installation against a fierce attack by hostile forces."

The actions for which he was honored took place July 5-6, 1964. From the Congressional Medal of Honor website, then-Capt. Donlon "was serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong when a reinforced Viet Cong battalion suddenly launched a full-scale, predawn attack on the camp. During the violent battle that ensued, lasting five hours and resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, Capt. Donlon directed the defense operations in the midst of an enemy barrage of mortar shells, falling grenades, and extremely heavy gunfire. Upon the initial onslaught, he swiftly marshaled his forces and ordered the removal of the needed ammunition from a blazing building. He then dashed through a hail of small arms and exploding hand grenades to abort a breach of the main gate. En route to this position he detected an enemy demolition team of three in the proximity of the main gate and quickly annihilated them. Although exposed to the intense grenade attack, he then succeeded in reaching a 60-mm mortar position despite sustaining a severe stomach wound as he was within five yards of the gun pit.

"When he discovered that most of the men in this gun pit were also wounded, he completely disregarded his own injury, directed their withdrawal to a location 30 meters away, and again risked his life by remaining behind and covering the movement with the utmost effectiveness. Noticing that his team sergeant was unable to evacuate the gun pit he crawled toward him and, while dragging the fallen soldier out of the gun pit, an enemy mortar exploded and inflicted a wound in Capt. Donlon's left shoulder. Although suffering from multiple wounds, he carried the abandoned 60-mm mortar weapon to a new location 30 meters away where he found three wounded defenders. After administering first aid and encouragement to these men, he left the weapon with them, headed toward another position, and retrieved a 57-mm recoilless rifle. Then with great courage and coolness under fire, he returned to the abandoned gun pit, evacuated ammunition for the two weapons, and while crawling and dragging the urgently needed ammunition, received a third wound in his leg by an enemy hand grenade. Despite his critical physical condition, he again crawled 175 meters to an 81-mm mortar position and directed firing operations which protected the seriously threatened east sector of the camp. He then moved to an eastern 60-mm mortar position and upon determining that the vicious enemy assault had weakened, crawled back to the gun pit with the 60-mm mortar, set it up for defensive operations, and turned it over to two defenders with minor wounds. Without hesitation, he left this sheltered position, and moved from position to position around the beleaguered perimeter while hurling hand grenades at the enemy and inspiring his men to superhuman effort. As he bravely continued to move around the perimeter, a mortar shell exploded, wounding him in the face and body." 

Donlon joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and was admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1955. In 1958 he re-enlisted in the United States Army and attended Officer Candidate School. In August of 1963 he joined the Special Forces. In 1967 he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  

For more information: The Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Photo Credit: U.S. Army Military History Institute

In 2023, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 56 in Leavenworth was renamed the White-Donlon-Hagemeister Post 56 Veterans of Foreign Wars, in part to honor Donlon.

Below: Video from an organization, Wreaths Across America, is one of the many active service-related organizations in the Leavenworth community to which Donlon has provided his time and support.