McCook Silver Star recipient remembered

Robert E. Roth

In 1940, Robert (Bobby or Bob) Roth was 9 years old. He and his parents, Edward and Lydia Roth, lived at 711 West 4th. Although both his mother and father had been born in the United States, Edward in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1909, all four of Bobby’s grandparents had been born in Russia which might explain the fact that the neighborhood they lived in was full of Russian born or children of Russian born families such as the Eckhardt’s and the Peppler’s.

Edward, Bobby’s father, was a barber by trade. His shop was located in the Keystone Hotel. That was back in the day when a hotel housed barbers, shoe shine booths, taxi cab stations and the like. Edward had only completed 8th grade but he was self employed and providing well for his family.

Bobby was just a typical 9-year-old, no doubt. One has to wonder if he dreamed of becoming a doctor at that young age. By 1949, he was graduating from McCook High School. His nickname was “Rufus” and his interests in high school had been listed as: Latin Club, Home Room Representative, Convocation Committee, Annual Staff and College Prep. He was in the same class as another Roth, Marvin, but there was no filial relation between the two families.

Bobby became “Bob” as he went on to McCook Junior College majoring in Pre-Med. Again, his studious nature tends to show its-self because his only extra-curricular activities were the Men’s Organization and Annual Staff. He graduated in the spring of 1951.

It is when he headed off to Omaha to complete his initial college degree that his life took a turn never anticipated. That turn is why I needed to write about Robert Edward Roth.

You see, before 1952 was over, Bob was in the Army. By March of 1953, he was headed for Korea and on May 30, 1953, the future doctor was killed in action. Here is the story of his service from the McCook Daily Gazette, October 14, 1953.

“Pfc. Robert Roth, machine gunner in the Cacti regiment, 25th Division, who was killed in action May 30 in Korea, is slated to receive posthumously the Silver Star for his gallantry in action against overwhelming odds, it was learned today.”

“The award was originally to be presented in ceremonies at McCook college on Roth’s birthday tomorrow. A conflict in schedules of the Army officers selected to perform the honors has postponed the presentation until November 11.”

“Stars and Stripes, the servicemen’s newspaper, describes the action for which Roth is receiving the Silver Star, as follows: Robert Roth, a machine gunner in a group supporting a wire laying team in front of outpost Hedy, valiantly manned his weapon when an overwhelming force attacked the detail with small arms, automatic weapons, and a heavy mortar barrage.”

“With complete disregard for his own safety, Roth remained behind to cover the withdrawal of the wiremen and evacuation of the wounded. He continued to fire his weapon until all reached safety, then fell mortally wounded by the intense enemy fire. On the same day that Roth was wounded, he turned down a chance to go to Japan on rest and recreation leave; instead he chose to stay with his company, and thus made the supreme sacrifice.”

And so, the future doctor did save lives, just not as he might have imagined, and McCook’s son, Robert E. Roth, received one of the highest honors given for service. Our Silver Star recipient has a painting and his service picture on display at the Museum of the High Plains for the balance of the month.

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