Lance Corporal Roble, Joseph E. USMC Bronze Star Medal The President of the United States takes pride in posthumously presenting the Bronze Star medal to LANCE CORPORAL JOSEPH E. ROBLE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For heroic achievement in connection with combat operation against the enemy while serving as M79 Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. On 15 September 1968, Lance Corporal Roble was assigned the task of taking over the "Point" of a company size patrol moving along a narrow trail covered by dense vegitation in the vicinity of Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam. The lead two Marines walking the "Point" came under intense enemy small arm and automatic weapons fire. The Marine closest to the enemy fire was killed almost immediately and the second Marine was severely wounded. Lance Corporal Roble, without hesitation and with complete disregard for his safety, rushed forward from a position of relative safety to assist the two fallen Marines. The enemy continued to fire automatic weapons and throw grenades at any and all Marines in the vicinity of the ambush. Laying down suppressing fire, he moved to the side of the wounded Marine, to protest him from further harm. When medical help arrived, Lance Corporal Roble moved forward to the other Marine, not realizing that he was dead. He continued to engage the enemy, repeatedly exposing himself to small arms fire and grenades, while maneuvering to gain fire superiority. Lance Corporal Roble remained at the forward edge of the fire fight until additional Marines were able to join the action, forcing the enemy to withdraw. Lance Corporal Roble's courageous actions, initiative, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. The Combat Distinguishing Device is Authorized