Army Pvt.

Harold D. Roth

Deadwood, South Dakota

Lawrence County

November 10, 1923 – March 1, 1945

Killed in Action in Germany

Harold Roth was born in Alexandria Minnesota, on November 10, 1923. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Roth; Harold had a brother and two sisters. The first six years of his life were spent in Minnesota. He later moved to Deadwood, South Dakota. He lived on a ranch just outside of Spearfish. Harold was described as “radiantly cheerful …won for himself a host of friends….”

In 1944 Roth volunteered in the Armed Services. He was inducted into the Army on June 18, 1944, in Minnesota. He has his basic training at Ft. McLellan, Alabama. He was then sent home for a short while. After that he was sent overseas. He was first stationed in England, where he fought through France, Belgium, and into Germany where he was killed on March 1, 1945, by shell fragments in the vicinity of Berg, Germany. He had been overseas only three months; he was just twenty-one years old.

He had served faithfully in the war and won the Purple Heart award posthumously. Pvt. Roth was paid high tribute by Frank T. Wadzinski, his commanding officer. In his letter to Roth’s family he wrote

“Harold’s loyalty, courage and splendid personality are manifested by the great loss felt by his fellowmen.

His willingness and excellent performance of duties hailed by all members of his command. All his

outstanding characteristics stands as a monument over his permanent place on his Company’s Honor Roll.”

This man was truly a hero to our country. His sacrifice is something everyone should honor.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Liz Cichosz, 8th Grade West, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, February 8, 2000. Information for this entry was provided by newspaper clippings.

Harold D Roth