Charles H . Roan Private First Class Charles Howard Roan ( August 16 , 1923 – September 18 , 1944 ) was a United States Marine who sacrificed his life to save those of four fellow Marines in the landing on Peleliu during World War II . For his heroism , he posthumous ly received his nation ' s highest military honor — the Medal of Honor . On July 21 , 1945 , in a simple presentation ceremony on the Armstrong County Courthouse lawn , Mrs . Lillabel Roan , of Claude , Texas , accepted the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded her son , PFC Charles H . Roan . Biography . Early years . Charles Howard Roan was born August 16 , 1923 , in Claude . Until he performed his act of sacrifice , his life had been that of any small town American boy . Charles attended the local high school and worked in a local garage . Marine Corps service . The youth enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in December 1942 . A rifleman in the 2nd Battalion , 7th Marines , 1st Marine Division , he was already a veteran of bitter fighting when he threw himself upon a Japanese hand grenade in the Peleliu landing , saving four Marines in his unit at the cost of his own life on September 18 , 1944 . Prior to his death , he had been in two previous battles — New Guinea and Cape Gloucester — and had seen 15 months of overseas duty . In addition to the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart , he also held the Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars . Memorial services for PFC Roan took place in the Methodist Church in Claude on April 8 , 1945 . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHARLES H . ROAN UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion , Seventh Marines , First Marine Division , in action against enemy Japanese Forces on Peleliu , Palau Islands , 18 September 1944 . Shortly after his leader ordered a withdrawal upon discovering that the squad was partly cut off from their company as a result of their rapid advance along an exposed ridge during an aggressive attack on the strongly entrenched enemy , Private First Class Roan and his companions were suddenly engaged in a furious exchange of hand grenades with Japanese forces emplaced in a cave on higher ground and the rear of the squad . Seeking protection with four other Marines in a depression the rocky , broken terrain , Private First Class Roan was wounded by an enemy grenade which fell close to their position and , immediately realizing the imminent peril to his comrades when another grenade landed in the midst of the group , unhesitatingly flung himself upon it , covering it with his body and absorbing the full impact of the explosion . By his prompt action and selfless conduct in the face of almost certain death , he saved the lives of four men . His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his comrades . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN Namesakes . The United States Navy destroyer , the was named in his honor . The Texas State Veterans Home in Amarillo , opened in 2007 , bears the name of Charles H . Roan . PFC Roan ' s name is inscribed on the Wall of the Missing at the American Battlefield Monuments Commission Cemetery outside the city of Manila , Philippines . A memorial marker in honor of Roan is located in the Claude Cemetery , Armstrong County , Texas