Lights of Peace Flag to Honor PFC Peter W. Roy KIA in Vietnam at age 18
During the month of February, the 65th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of U.S. Marine PFC Peter W. Roy, who was KIA on Dec. 5, 1967, by friendly fire, one month after arriving in Vietnam.
Peter Roy was born in New Bedford on August 25, 1949, to Napoleon and Mary (Correia), and lived at 68 Pleasant St., Fairhaven.
He enlisted in the United States Marines on February 1, 1967, at the age of 18, before completing his senior year of high school. Like many young men his age, he felt compelled to serve his country during a time of unrest.
Roy began his Basic Training for the United States Marine Corps at the Recruit Depot at Parris Island, SC in May 1967. The letters shared by his family document his time in training. Written by him, they give a first-hand account of the rigorous training he endured and demonstrate Roy’s dedication, perseverance and willingness to succeed.
June 7 – “Things are a lot different here than back home. You will probably just about know me. By the way, sometimes my letters will not be finished. There isn’t enough time. There are many things I have to do. I am ok.”
June 13 – “They’re taking good care of us. Pretty soon I’ll be a Marine. Six guys went AWOL. One gave himself up, so he did not get in any trouble The other five did. Two of them are supposed to go to jail.”
June 19 – “I was talking today and I had to do 5,000 jumping jacks. Boy was I tired.”
June 27 – “I can’t write too much, our big test is next week and I have a lot of studying to do. It means a lot to me, the PLT (platoon) and DI’s (Drill Instructor) for everyone to pass this test.”
July 15 – “Today was a big day. We had to qualify with the M14 rile. We had to get at least 190 points to make it. I shot a 202. That’s a Marksmen.”
July 20 – “We took the test and everyone passed. I got a 92. We also move out of our old barracks and into new ones because we are at the rifle range. The old ones were about 30 years old and made of wood. They are ready to fall apart. These new ones are brick. They have everything, even air conditioning. Tomorrow, we have guard duty down around the swamps. We were told to watch out for snakes and alligators. There is plenty of both down here.”
July 25 – “We are getting a test on everything we learned so far. It is not a written test, we have to do everything with our hands. Like first aid, taking our rifle apart blind folded. We have to take the 45 cal pistol apart in four minutes. That is only a couple of the things, there are many more. Then we have an inspection on all our war gear. Then we have a physical readiness test with all our gear on. In the test we have to climb a rope, do step ups, carry another guy on our back for 50 yards. He wears all his gear also. Then we crawl on our stomachs for another 50 yards. Then we run for three miles. At the end of the run we have to jump a big truck full of water.”
Roy also informed his family that he will be departing to Fort LeJuene, in California on August 3rd.
Aug. 9 – Peter writes from Marine Corps Base Camp LeJuene and explains that he will be there for 4 weeks, then he will be coming home on break. “We get up at 4:30 am and don’t hit the rack until 2400 or 12 o’clock. That is how busy we are. I gained eleven pounds at Parris Island. Our mess hall is fit for the President. We got as much as we wanted. There is so much I have to say, but there is no time. Right now my orders are Vietnam in November.”
Sept. 7 – Peter writes to his parents referencing an article written by Drew Pearson, entitled The Talk Of Peace In Vietnam. Peter asks what his parents think of the article. He says in his letter, “I don’t like the idea of our men being killed and the pain it brings to their parents or wives and sometimes their children. It ain’t right that our people should have to suffer this way. I never wanted anything more in my life than to see this mess come to an end.”
Sept. 24 – He states that he will be leaving Camp LeJeune on Sept. 28th and may have 28 days of leave.
In October 1967, Peter arrived at Camp Pendelton, CA to prepare for his deployment to Vietnam. He writes to his family on Oct. 24th – “I got here ok. I’ll be leaving for Vietnam the 10th of November.” He explained that he arrived in San Diego and outside his barracks “all you can see is mountains and hills. The barracks are right near the Bridge.” He explained that they have liberty (free time) every night and we have candy and soda machines in the barracks. He explained that the night they arrived, they stayed at the YMCA for $1.00.
Roy earned the rank of PFC on November 1, 1967, and arrived in Vietnam on November 11th. The young man who had trained so hard to become a Marine and serve his country, had died only one month after arriving in Vietnam.
Peter’s parents received a telegram from Western Union informing them that their son had been killed in action. The telegram read, “I deeply regret to confirm that your son, PFC Peter W. Roy USMC died 5 December 1967 in the vicinity of Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam. He sustained a gunshot would to the neck from rifle fire when he was mistaken for hostile forces while engaged in action against hostile forces.”
In a letter written to his parents from his commanding officer, Captain R.A. Black, Jr., “Peter was indeed an outstanding Marine whose devotion and performance of duty was in the highest tradition of the Marine Corps. He did not die in vain; he died as a Marine, proud, unafraid, and with a certain esprit that has made the name Marine, and those who bear that name, a separate and distinct breed of American. We are proud that we knew your son.”
Roy was awarded the Military Merit Medal and Gallantry Cross with Palm posthumously.
Peter is survived by his sisters: Rosemary Davidsen of FL, Mary Johnson of Spencer, MA; his step-brothers: Donald and Stanley Bisaillon of VA; his step-sisters: June Muir of VA and Eva Chaves of NM; his half-sister Theresa Roy of Dartmouth and his half-brother Wayne Hayward of Fairhaven. He is predeceased by his parents, his step-mother, Theresa C. Roy and his step-brother, Alan Bisaillon.
“Private Roy has made the greatest sacrifice which a young man can offer to his country, and I join with all Americans in expressing the profound debt of gratitude which is due your son and his many comrades,” stated then-Governor John A Volpe.