Medal of Honor Stolen

Richard · 11-03-2011, 11:24

Sad story - takes a sorry MFer to do that to a family.

Quote:

Maria Rocko said she went to visit the grave site of her husband Louis Richard Rocko on Monday, since it was the anniversary of his death. Louis passed away on Halloween of 2002. Maria said when she returned home she found her home was torn apart and clearly burglarized. While several electronics were stolen, she said the biggest lost was her late husband's Medal of Honor he was awarded in 1974. Louis was an Army combat medic during the Vietnam War.

http://www.kens5.com/news/Medal-of-H...133053428.html

Richard

ROCCO, LOUIS R.

Rank and organization: Warrant Officer (then Sergeant First Class), U.S. Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance Command. Place and date: Northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, 24 May 1970. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 19 November 1938, Albuquerque, N. Mex. Citation: WO Rocco distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany a medical evacuation team on an urgent mission to evacuate 8 critically wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it became the target for intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, WO Rocco identified and placed accurate suppressive fire on the enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward the landing zone. Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft was forced to crash land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist and hip and a severely bruised back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors from the burning wreckage, sustaining burns to his own body. Despite intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each unconscious man across approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam perimeter. On each trip, his severely burned hands and broken wrist caused excruciating pain, but the lives of the unconscious crash survivors were more important than his personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue efforts. Once inside the friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first aid to his wounded comrades until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose consciousness. His bravery under fire and intense devotion to duty were directly responsible for saving 3 of his fellow soldiers from certain death. His unparalleled bravery in the face of enemy fire, his complete disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his performance were far above and beyond the call of duty and were in keeping with the highest traditions of self-sacrifice and courage of the military service.

Sohei · 11-03-2011, 11:32

Very sad story indeed! Hopefully someone with the knowledge of what it is will recognize it and return it to her. I can't even begin to imagine the sentimental value that MoH has for her!

Stingray · 11-03-2011, 11:50

It does take a sorry MFer. May karma haunt the thief every moment for the remainder of their sorry life.
Sincerely,

greenberetTFS · 11-03-2011, 12:41

It's hard to believe that a Prick like that would be that heartless and do something like this,what an asshole ..........

Big Teddy

rdret1 · 11-03-2011, 13:53

It wouldn't surprise me to learn it was some crackhead that didn't even know what it was. To them, it looked like something valuable that could be hocked. I hope any pawn shop he takes it to uses a little sense and asks questions leading to an arrest and the return of the medal to the rightful owners.

kgoerz · 11-03-2011, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdret1

It wouldn't surprise me to learn it was some crackhead that didn't even know what it was. To them, it looked like something valuable that could be hocked. I hope any pawn shop he takes it to uses a little sense and asks questions leading to an arrest and the return of the medal to the rightful owners.

Hopefully this is the case. It being sold to a Pawn Shop is the best chance of return. Someone will know of it's importance and get it returned. What are they made of?

akv · 11-03-2011, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

What are they made of?

The medal itself as of 2004, though a priceless honor, was composed primarily out of a brass alloy, IIRC correctly there was talk back then to make it out of gold. What a truly despicable theft, I hope it's recovered.

I had the supreme honor of meeting a CMOH recipient, the late Ret. US Army Captain Maurice " Footsie" Britt of Arkansas in the early 90's.

Red Flag 1 · 11-03-2011, 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingray

It does take a sorry MFer. May karma haunt the thief every moment for the remainder of their sorry life.
Sincerely,

After that, the One who said, " vengeance is mine" takes over.

RF 1

alright4u · 11-03-2011, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Sad story - takes a sorry MFer to do that to a family.

Richard

ROCCO, LOUIS R.

Rank and organization: Warrant Officer (then Sergeant First Class), U.S. Army, Advisory Team 162, U.S. Military Assistance Command. Place and date: Northeast of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, 24 May 1970. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 19 November 1938, Albuquerque, N. Mex. Citation: WO Rocco distinguished himself when he volunteered to accompany a medical evacuation team on an urgent mission to evacuate 8 critically wounded Army of the Republic of Vietnam personnel. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it became the target for intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Disregarding his own safety, WO Rocco identified and placed accurate suppressive fire on the enemy positions as the aircraft descended toward the landing zone. Sustaining major damage from the enemy fire, the aircraft was forced to crash land, causing WO Rocco to sustain a fractured wrist and hip and a severely bruised back. Ignoring his injuries, he extracted the survivors from the burning wreckage, sustaining burns to his own body. Despite intense enemy fire, WO Rocco carried each unconscious man across approximately 20 meters of exposed terrain to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam perimeter. On each trip, his severely burned hands and broken wrist caused excruciating pain, but the lives of the unconscious crash survivors were more important than his personal discomfort, and he continued his rescue efforts. Once inside the friendly position, WO Rocco helped administer first aid to his wounded comrades until his wounds and burns caused him to collapse and lose consciousness. His bravery under fire and intense devotion to duty were directly responsible for saving 3 of his fellow soldiers from certain death. His unparalleled bravery in the face of enemy fire, his complete disregard for his own pain and injuries, and his performance were far above and beyond the call of duty and were in keeping with the highest traditions of self-sacrifice and courage of the military service.

Richard: I have never even touched a CMH. That award is so sacred to me and to so many others that I truly feel unworthy to even feel or hold one. I hope the SOB's hand burns off.

Richard, I recall Col. Millet used to wear his CMH at SOAR. That man had more class in his little finger then many do in their entire body.

I pray the crook is found and that this fine lady gets the missing award back.

Jon

kgoerz · 11-04-2011, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by akv

The medal itself as of 2004, though a priceless honor, was composed primarily out of a brass alloy, IIRC correctly there was talk back then to make it out of gold. What a truly despicable theft, I hope it's recovered.

I had the supreme honor of meeting a CMOH recipient, the late Ret. US Army Captain Maurice " Footsie" Britt of Arkansas in the early 90's.

Thanks akv. I was just thinking that if it was Gold. Chances of return would be slim to none. Ya I probably could of just googled it......getting lazy