Roland was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 13, 1941 and assigned to Camp Bowie, Texas for boot camp. He received combat training at Indio, California and transfered overseas to bases in Scotland and England. He served in Company A, 755th Tank Battalian as a Medium Tank Crewman and saw action in Africa and four major campaigns in Italy; Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, North Apennines and the Po Valley. Roland was wounded in action January 17, 1944 and was awarded the Purple Heart on General Order 11, Headquarters 5th Army on January 24, 1944. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Europe, Africa, Middle East Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars and the French Croix de Guerre with Vermillion Star. Roland attained the rank of Corporal during his tour of duty. He was discharged from the Army at the Separation Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas on July 9, 1945. Roland passed away January 22, 1995.
