James Milan RozoSergeant First Class595TH SIG CO, 36TH SIG BN, 2ND SIG GRP, 1ST SIG BDE, USARV Army of the United States 18 October 1948 - 18 May 1979 Buffalo, New York Panel 09W Line 086 |
 
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The database page for James Milan Rozo
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I have spent countless days and nights reading the reports, wondering what could have become of you. I never give up hope that the answer will come, and give your loved ones peace. You, Phillips, and Pederson are in my prayers always.
From one who remembers. |
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I just wanted to let the family know I think about their son daily. I have had his MIA bracelet since they first came out in the early 70s. I've had it for over 30 years. It wasn't until after I entered the military that I found out Sergeant Rozo was from my home town. I was born in Buffalo, NY and raised in Wheatfield, NY. God Bless his family and the USA.
Michelle S. Keen |
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I served with Jim. I was on a similar run the day before the ambush. I would love to hear from any of his family or anyone wearing his name on a bracelet.
From a buddy from Vietnam, |
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I just wanted to tell James's family that I have been doing a lot of research on him and that he is a remarkable man. I want to thank him for serving our country. I wear his POW braclet every day. What is funny is I am only 19 - I found it in my grandmother's jewlery box after she passed. So I thought it must have some kind of meaning behind it and after the research I have done it does. He is a remarkable man. And my heart goes out to his family and friends.
Tanya |
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I also have an MIA bracelet with SFC Rozo's name on it. (Since 1991) I have a rubbing from the wall of SFC Rozo. I have always wondered about him. My husband is a former Marine. My grandfather was in the Navy. My father-in-law was in the army. I thank all vets for their service. Thank you, SFC Rozo.
Tammi |
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My name is Rebecca and I was 12 years old when I received James Rozo's MIA bracelet. I always wondered what had happened to him since I watched most of the other released POWs step off the plane and not him. I have worn the bracelet many times through the years. When my daughter dressed for a 70's day at school she wore the bracelet. It is something that I will keep and wear forever to remember him by. I was very young then and he was a hero to me. God Bless him and he will be remembered. |
A Note from The Virtual WallAt about 0830 hours on 23 June 1970, the 595th Signal Company's supply sergeant, SFC Joe P. Pederson , departed Dian in a GMC 2-1/2 ton truck for a supply run to the 595th's outlying stations at Lai Khe and Phuoc Vinh in Binh Doung Province. SFC Pederson was accompanied by SP4 James M. Rozo and PVT Robert P. Phillips . They arrived in Lai Khe at about 1000 and departed at about 1100 enroute Phuoc Vinh.At 1530 the truck was found in a roadside ditch, both windscreens shattered by gunfire and the left front tire flat. Expended M-16 shell casings were found around the truck, but there was no sign of Pederson, Rozo, or Phillips. Ground and air searches located one dead Viet Cong, killed by a .45 caliber bullet (Pederson had carried a .45 sidearm), and three jammed M-16 rifles which proved to be those checked out by Pederson and his men. The searches did not locate the missing men, who were then formally placed in MIA status. In September 1970 a VC defector claimed to be one of four VCs who ambushed the truck and captured the three men. The defector claimed that one of the Americans, a noncommissioned officer, died shortly after being captured and was buried not too far from the point of capture. The other two, he said, had been interrogated locally before being marched off in the direction of Cambodia. In November 1971, a captured VC soldier reported seeing two Americans being evacuated to Cambodia - his descriptions fit Rozo and Phillips. As a result of these two debriefings SP4 Rozo and PVT Phillips were reclassified as prisoners of war while SFC Pederson was continued as Missing in Action. On 27 January 1973, the Provisional Revolutionary Government (PRG), better known as the Viet Cong, released a list containing the names of American POWs whom the VC said died in captivity, but none of the three were on that list nor were Pederson, Rozo, or Phillips among the POWs released in February/March 1973. Over time the Secretary of the Army approved Presumptive Findings of death for the three men, Pederson on 01 Sep 1978, Phillips on 13 Feb 1979, and Rozo on 18 May 1979. Their remains have not been repatriated.
Additional information is available on the |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is one who remembers. unibean@aol.com |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 14 Feb 2005
Last updated 03/20/2008