William Marshall Roark
William Marshall Roark was a United States Navy aviator, Lieutenant, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and namesake of. Roark was the first US Navy ship to be named for an American Killed in Action during the Vietnam War.Biography
William Marshall Roark was born 23 October 1938 in Sioux City, Iowa to Frank F. Roark and Madge E. Roark. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and attended Omaha Central High School. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in 1956, he graduated and was commissioned ensign on 8 June 1960 and advanced to the rank of lieutenant, 1 June 1964.
He attended the naval flight school at Pensacola, Florida, and Corpus Christi, Texas, and subsequently reported for duty in Attack Squadron 153 on board. Lieutenant Roark was killed in action 7 April 1965 while flying an A-4 Skyhawk on a bombing mission over North Vietnam.
Roark was survived by his parents, his wife Karen and three children, Lisa, John and William.
His remains were recovered in March 1977 and he was buried at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.Namesake
The United States Navy ship USS Roark was named in his honor. His mother and his widow were ship sponsors for Roark.Distinguished Flying Cross citation
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