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| Captain Dale Roysdon, 82nd Airborne Division was mortally wounded shortly after his unit knocked out the tanks in the above photo. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14588091/dale-a-roysdon https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/airborne-at-la-fiere-slugfest-in-normandy/ |
Dale Arthur Roysdon never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on July 28, 1919 in Red Lodge, Montana. His parents Morris and Lucy were born in Iowa and Montana, respectively. His father worked as a farmer and later as a retail furniture merchant. Dale had a younger brother. By 1940 Dale was still living with his parents and had completed three years of college. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1941 with a degree in business administration.
He enlisted in the army on June 9, 1941, became a commissioned officer and volunteered for the paratroopers. He became a captain in the HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw action in both Sicily and Italy.
Captain Roysdon was serving as the battalion operations officer when the 505th PIR troops were loaded into C-47s on the evening of June 5, 1944 for an airdrop into Normandy in the early hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. While many of the paratroopers were dropped miles from their planned drop zones, the 1st Battalion 505 PIR was dropped where it was supposed to land.
The 1st Battalion was tasked with taking a bridge at La Fiere to deny the Germans a pathway to attack the troops on Utah Beach. The Germans held off the paratroopers for most of the morning, but multiple attacks wore down the enemy and they they finally surrendered. At 4 pm the Germans counterattacked from the west, led by three light French-made tanks. In front of the tanks the Germans had placed captured paratroopers to act as human shields and to keep the Americans from firing in their direction. Bazookas and 57mm fire eventually took out the three tanks. The Americans were still exposed to mortar fire and Captain Roysdon was mortally wounded while carrying up rocket ammunition for the bazookas. He died shortly thereafter.
Captain Roysdon was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. His citation reads as follows:
Dropping into France on D-Day by parachute, Captain Roysdon demonstrated great initiative in assembling and organizing his battalion. As the Battalion Operations Officer, Captain Roysdon's superior skill and ability in the issuance of concise orders, orientating unit commanders and in leading the battalion through enemy held territory to the objective were dominant factors in the success of the mission.
Fearlessly exposing himself to intense mortar and small arms fire, Captain Roysdon moved over all parts of the field of battle to better direct his men in the repulsing of heavy enemy counter-attacks. While moving to a forward point in order that he might better aid in the control of his men, Captain Roysdon was killed by enemy mortar fire.
His aggressiveness and superior tactical knowledge and personal example of gallantry and courage were inspiring to his men, and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.
Thank you Captain Roysdon for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Dale.
Last year on this date I profiled Paul Ilvies, 9th Infantry Division who fought in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. You can read about Paul here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Follow on Twitter @ww2fallen100
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
His grave is at Laurel Cemetery in Laurel, Montana.
Last year on this date I profiled Paul Ilvies, 9th Infantry Division who fought in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. You can read about Paul here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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