From Air Force to Afghanistan and Roan: Sept. 18 is key date in US military history

September 18 is a significant date in military history. President George W. Bush authorized use of force in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, the Air Force was created, and Charles Roan from Claude Texas was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II.

Afghanistan

On October 15, 1999, the United Nations al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee adopted Resolution 1267 which linked the groups as terrorist organizations and imposed sanctions on them. On September 9, 2001, al-Qaeda assassinated Ahmad Shah Masoud, a commander of an anti-Taliban coalition. Two days later on September 11, 2001 Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda attacked the United States, killing 2,977 Americans and injuring more than 6,000 others.

On September 18, 2001 President Bush signed into law a joint resolution authorizing the use of force against those who attacked the United States. Operation Enduring Freedom (later Operation Freedom’s Sentinel) was launched October 7, 2001, dropping the first bombs on al Qaeda. On May 1, 2011, United States Special Forces located and killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. According to the Department of Defense (2022), there have been approximately 2,022 U. S. soldiers killed in the war with 20,149 wounded. Thirteen CIA officers were also killed in Afghanistan.

Air Force Founding

The Air Force was founded September 18, 1947. In WWII what we now know as the Air Force was part of the Army.

Today the Air Force has 328,820 active-duty personnel, plus 69,056 Reserves, plus 110,000 Air National Guard, plus 152,231 civilians for a total of 660,107. The Air force has 5,217 aircraft and 406 ICBMs. Please congratulate any active duty or veteran Air Force personnel you know and thank them for their service.

Charles Roan in WWII

On September 18, 1944 Charles Roan was fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean in World War II. He fell on an enemy hand grenade to save the lives of his fellow Marines and was awarded the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor Citation follows.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Charles Howard Roan (MCSN: 504236), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for the 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 the 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 by Japanese forces emplaced in a cave on higher ground and to the rear of the squad. Seeking protection with four other Marines in a depression in the rocky, broken terrain, Private First Class Roan was wounded by an enemy grenade which fell close to their position and, immediately realizing the eminent 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 U. S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.

Private Roan was born in Claude Texas and attended school there. His mother was awarded his Medal of Honor on the lawn of the Armstrong County Courthouse in Claude on July 21, 1945. A destroyer, the USS Charles H. Roan, was named in his honor. In 2007 the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home, 1020 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, was opened. It was dedicated to Private Roan and a retired Army Captain who was a long-time advocate of veteran and community programs.

Sept. 16: National POW/MIA Recognition Day

National POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) Recognition Day is the third Friday in September. This year, it was on Friday, Sept. 16. It was created by an Act of Congress in 1979 and its important message is, “You are not forgotten.”

It was created after 2,500 Vietnam-era families petitioned Congress for a recognition day. Here are some statistics from the Department of Defense to convey the number of service members (and families) POW/MIA Recognition Day affects.

• In World War II 130,201 US service members were prisoners of war; 14,072 died while being held prisoner. 73,515 service members are missing in action.

• In the Korean War 7,140 US service members were prisoners of war; 2,701 died while being held prisoner. 7,841 service members are missing in action.

• In the Vietnam War, 725 US service members were prisoners of war; 64 died while being held prisoner. 1,626 service members are missing in action.

• In the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War (since 1991) 37 US service members were prisoners of war. Six service members are missing in action.

• In the Cold War, 126 service members are missing in action.

Please pause and remember these service members and their families who have sacrificed for our freedom.

We invite you to visit our museum Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our telephone number is 806-350-8387. Follow us on Facebook and visit our website www.TexasPanhandleWarMemorial.com .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Sept. 18 is key date in US military history