George A. Roll – Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps

SOUTHERN PINES, North Carolina — Retired U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General George A. Roll, 95, of Middleton Place, died Saturday, September 13, 2008, surrounded by his family.

After graduation from the University of Pittsburgh, General Roll was one of a small group of honor ROTC graduates to be selected by the Marine Corps to enter its Officer Training Program. Upon graduation from the program, Roll was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Basic School class of 1935. He had a very distinguished career in the Marine Corps, serving in both World War II and the Korean War. He was one of the few remaining survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

His decorations and medals include the Legion of Merit, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal and Fleet Clasp, American Arctic Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal and the China Service Medal.

General Roll retired from the Marine Corps in 1959 and was recruited by AMJ Corp., where he had a successful career, retiring as executive vice president and a member of the board of directors.

A Mass celebrating his life will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 18, 2008, in Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Interment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

General Roll was preceded in death by his first wife, Enice N. Roll.

He is survived by his second wife of 30 years, Elinor; his brother, Father Bertin Roll (O.F.M. Capuchin); daughters, Georgeann Roll Fannon and Kathleen Roll Goehner; stepchildren, Sharon Broecking, Pamela Vanderhyden and James Seaver; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Augustine Capuchin Friars, 221 36th St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15201.

ROLL GEORGE A.

Formerly of West View and St. Athansius parish, died September 13, 2008, at the age of 95, in Southern Pines, North Carolina, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents William F. Roll and Nora Blanche O’Brien, his brother William, sister Helen and his first wife of 39 years, Enice Natali Roll of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. He is survived by Elinor, his wife of 30 years, his brother Raymond (Father Bertin Roll – O.F.M. Capuchin), daughters Georgeann R. Fannon, Kathleen R. Goehner and their husbands, many nieces and nephews in the Pittsburgh area, three stepchildren, 10 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren.

As an honor graduate of the class of 1935, University of Pittsburgh, he had two distinguished careers. From 1935 to 1959, he served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Brigadier General.

Following his military career, he joined AMF Corporation where he served as Executive Vice President and member of the Board of Directors.

Funeral services will culminate with interment at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Augustine Capuchin Friars, 221 36th Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15201.

NOTE: General Roll will be laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on 10 December 2008, following services at the Post Chapel, Fort Myer, Virginia.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard