Frank Eugene Roath

Frank Eugene Roath, 81, a resident of Shoshone, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at the V.A. Medical Center in Boise.
Frank was born on November 21, 1933 in Franklin, Nebraska, the son of Frank Eldon Roath and Gladys Blanche Roath.
Frank served two tours in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, being held as a P.O.W. for 27 months.
He later served two tours in Vietnam and two tours in Germany, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major.
During his military service Frank married Margie Giles on July 24, 1967 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Frank was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He is survived by: his wife, Margie Roath of Shoshone; two sons, Brad Roath of Alabama and Frank E. Roath, Jr. of Kansas;
one sister, Shandra Logerstead of Bozeman, Montana; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Karen; and step-son, Victor.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 4, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Shoshone L.D.S. Church. Burial with military honors
will take place at the Richfield Cemetery in Richfield.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, May 3 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Demaray Funeral Service –
Shoshone Chapel and on Monday from 10:00 am until 10:45 am at the Shoshone L.D.S. Church.

From the Demaray Funeral Service website

Frank Roath at Panmunjon, Korea August 21, 1953 returning to United States forces
on the 17th day of prisoner exchange, after being held prisoner by the North Koreans for 27 months.
He was captured at the age of seventeen, while serving in Company I, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division.

Photo of Staff Sergeant Frank E. Roath from the 4th Infantry Division yearbook
as a member of B Company 1/22 Infantry from Fort Lewis, Washington in about 1965-66

Frank Roath in Vietnam
as Platoon Sergeant of
Company B 1/22 Infantry

Photo by Bob Babcock

Remembering my Platoon Sergeant - Frank (Gene) Roath

As we enter the Memorial Day weekend, I think of the NCO who taught me so much as a young 2LT and who was a great
battle buddy during our year in Vietnam in 1966-1967. Frank died on April 29 of this year. As a 17 year-old rifleman
during the Korean War, Frank was held for 27 months as a POW in North Korea. He was a crusty NCO with a heart of gold
who told me the day I met him, "Sir, there's a reason they call me a senior NCO and you a junior officer. I'm smarter than you -
so listen to me and I'll teach you." And I did listen and he did teach me. We proudly fought together and brought all of our Soldiers
in our platoon home, alive, from Vietnam.

I had the good fortune to spend a day with his grandson, Paul Roath, an NCO in today's Army -
carrying on his grandfather's tradition of service to America.

Bob Babcock Company B 1/22 Infantry 1965-1967