The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Roger C. Petersen (ASN: 0-5428426), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery D, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 August 1968. On this date, Lieutenant Peterson was serving as an artillery forward observer during a reconnaissance in force operation in the vicinity of Loc Ninh. At approximately 1000 hours, the infantry company to which he was attached was suddenly engaged by a large North Vietnamese Army force utilizing automatic weapons, rocket propelled grenades and mortar fire. Without regard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Petersen left his relatively safe location and advanced through the intense enemy fire to a forward position from which he began effectively directing artillery support. When six of the enemy charged his position, he quickly killed three of the attackers with accurate fire from his personal weapon. The remaining three enemy soldiers continued to maneuver toward him, and as they approached his position, he killed two of them with well placed hand grenades and forced the third to flee. Maintaining his vantage point, Lieutenant Petersen continued to direct devastating artillery barrages onto the enemy positions which were successful in breaking the enemy attack. Lieutenant Petersen’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Roger C. Petersen (ASN: 0-5428426), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Battery D, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 24 August 1968. On this date, Lieutenant Petersen was serving as an artillery forward observer during a battalion-minus sweep of the scene of the previous day’s action near Loc Ninh. The friendly units suddenly made heavy contact with an estimated North Vietnamese battalion utilizing automatic weapons, rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire. Lieutenant Petersen’s company was dispatched to defend the right flank, which was in danger of being overrun by the insurgent force. This left only a small element defending the front. When the enemy launched a massive attack on the front security element, Lieutenant Petersen immediately advanced to the beleaguered element’s position to give his support. He then continued to move forward and fought his way to a vantage point from which he could effectively direct artillery fire onto the insurgent force. Despite numerous attacks on his position, Lieutenant Petersen brought in a heavy barrage, which landed as close to him as fifteen meters. His courageous determination and skillful direction of the artillery fire were responsible for turning back the attack and for killing over fifty of the enemy. First Lieutenant Petersen’s unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.