53rd Veteran of the Quarter, Roger Womack, US Navy
December 20, 2023
Roger Womack was born on July 24, 1947. In February 1965, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy inactive reserves. That May, he rolled over to active Navy and started boot camp through August. In September, he attended Machinists Mate Class A School. By February 1966, he was assigned to USS Enterprise CVAN 65 to begin his first tour of three in the Tonkin Gulf, conducting air operations against North Vietnam from Yankee Station.
After only a few months aboard the ship, he became a patient in a US Naval Hospital. After recovery, he was back to duty aboard the USS Enterprise CVAN 65. In May 1967, he was briefly assigned to Crash Boat duty in Alameda, California for 2 months before being reassigned back to the USS Enterprise CVAN 65. Throughout his three tours aboard the USS Enterprise CVAN 65, the ship stopped in many ports including Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.
On May 21, 1968, Womack was honorably discharged from active duty in Token Gulf, Vietnam. On that final flight off the ship, his cargo plane took fire from two North Vietnam fighter planes. Thankfully, they were shot down by US fighters. Womack was in the Navy Reserves until release in February of 1971.
During his time in service, Womack received several accolades to include, Navy Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (3 awards), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device.
Womack has served his veteran community in a variety of ways. He is a former member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913 and served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. He was awarded Veteran of the Year and helped start the first Trout Tournament that continued for three years. There, he served as a member of the Honor Guard and on the committee that helped bring about the Vietnam Monument at the College of the Ozarks. He also served as a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1119, on the Board of Directors, and Honor Guard. A Charter Member of the Veterans of the Ozarks, he served on the Board of Directors for two years and Honor Guard. Womack is a Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
Roger has been married to Sheryl for over 53 years. They have 2 sons, Paul and Tate, along with 4 grandchildren who all live in the Branson area.
THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!