Navy Federal Credit Union

Kenneth Roraback was captured with three other Special Forces soldiers at Hiep Hoa, South Vietnam, on November 24, 1963, and he was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia. On September 26, 1965, “Liberation Radio” announced the execution of Prisoners of War Kenneth Roraback and his comrade Rocky Versace, who later was awarded the Medal of Honor, in retaliation for the deaths of 3 terrorists in DaNang. His remains have never been recovered.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class]

    Regiment:

    5th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Division:

    1st Special Forces

    Action Date:

    November 24, 1963

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 1 (January 16,1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class] Kenneth Mills Roraback (ASN: RA-12322146), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-21, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Master Sergeant Roraback distinguished himself on 24 November 1963, when a large Viet Cong force attacked the Special Forces Camp at Hiep Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. Master Sergeant Roraback, working in the radio room, immediately began to notify higher headquarters of the situation. The heavy volume of high and flat trajectory fire destroyed the generators, damaged the radios, and knocked out a portion of the radio room. Despite this, Master Sergeant Roraback remained at his station and attempted to repair his radio. When it became apparent that the radio was beyond repair, Master Sergeant Roraback destroyed and set fire to the remainder of what was left of the radios, equipment, and radio room to keep the Viet Cong from salvaging anything later. This accomplished, Master Sergeant Roraback maneuvered through hostile fire and mortar fragments, and manned a light machine gun concentrating his fire on the Viet Cong within the compound. Master Sergeant Roraback valiantly remained at his position and covered the withdrawal of friendly forces as long as he could. Reluctantly, he left his position when ordered by his Commanding Officer to withdraw from the camp and moved into the darkness to rejoin his comrades. In the confusion of battle, Master Sergeant Roraback was captured by the Viet Cong only when he no longer had any means to resist and was in captivity until issuance of a presumptive finding of death by Headquarters, Department of the Army, on 1 July 1966. Master Sergeant Roraback’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Master Sergeant

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (South Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 24, 1963 – September 26, 1965

    Master Sergeant Kenneth Mills Roraback (ASN: RA-12322146), United States Army, was held as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia from November 24, 1963 until his death in captivity on or about September 26, 1965.