Louis Roberts Sr. Given Special Flags By Optimists and VFW Organizations

By Sid Riley
10/16/08

During the political rally and peanut boil hosted by his son Lou Roberts last Friday morning, the local Optimists Club and local VFW post made a special presentation to Louis Roberts, Sr. in recognition of his service to our nation during WW II and the Korean War.
Mr. Roberts served in the Sea Bees of the U.S. Navy during WW II, and then enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve during the Korean War. He and fellow marine Tommy Grainger served in the same conflicts in Korea, and took part in one of the most difficult and brutal battles of that conflict. In -40 degree temperatures and outnumbered 10 to 1 by 120,000 Chinese and North Korean soldiers, their unit which had become isolated from support managed over a difficult 14 day period to fight their way out of the mountains to reach the sea and safety. The survivors of that conflict have been designated "The Chosen Few", with a monument placed in Washington D.C. in their honor.
Fellow veterans had noticed that the Marine Unit Flag flown at Mr. Roberts home had become weather worn and needed replacement. At this peanut boil for his son, Louis was presented a new Marine Unit Flag and a new American Flag by representatives of the Optimists and the VFW.