Monroe County Indiana

Roger Wayne Cummings, age 21, from Bloomington, Indiana in Monroe County

Service era: Vietnam

Parents: Claudia and step father Robert Green

Schools: Bloomington High, Vincennes University

Spouse: Engaged to Melody Taber, Bloomington

Children: None

Military History: Kilo Company, 2nd Platoon, 3/7 Marines, 1st Marine Division

Date of death: Sunday, April 20, 1969
Death details: Killed in action 18 miles southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, sustaining multiple fragment wounds to he body from a hostile grenade.

Navy Cross citation: For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Rifelman with Company K, Third Batallion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam on 20 April 1969. Private First Class Cumming’s platoon was directed to assault heavily fortified North Vietnam Army emplacements located in the mountainous Thuong Duc area of Quang Nam Province. As the Platoon commenced the attack, the Marines came under vicious automatic weapons fire from concealed machine-gun positions, pinning down the unit and inflicting several casualties. Realizing the need for immediate action to prevent further Marine injuries, Private First Class Cummings unhesitatingly left his relatively secure rear position and charged across the fire-swept terrain to assault the hostile bunker complex. With enemy rounds impacting about him, he raced from one emplacement to another, firing his rifle and throwing hand grenades in a splendid display of valor which enabled his companions to resume the attack. Demoralized by the impetus of the attack, the North Vietnamese soldiers began a retreat from the area, and as they withdrew, one of the men hurled an explosive device at Private First Class Cummings which injured him extensively and rendered him unable to walk. Although suffering with great pain, he resolutely determined to prevent the escape of the hostile unit, and struggling desperately, he dragged himself on his elbows and hands to a vantage point from which he continued to fire upon the enemy soldiers untill he succumbed from his wounds. His heroic efforts and selfless concern for his fellowmen were instrumental in his unit’s securing the objective. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty, Private First Class Cummings upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallanty gave his life for his country.

Cemetery: Clover Hill, Monroe County

Source: National Archives, grave marker, findagrave.com