Roger Lee Schwarz

Roger Lee Schwarz of Le Mars graduated from Gehlen Catholic High School in the class of 1967. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in January of the following year. On August 18, 1968 PFC Schwarz suffered fragmentation wounds to his entire body when his squad was attacked by hostile mortar fire near the Thua Thien Province. He died a day later from his injuries only after being in Vietnam for about a month. A funeral service for the 18-year-old took place at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars. Military services and burial took place at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery. PFC Schwarz was the first casualty of the Vietnam War from Le Mars.