[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE SERVICE OF STEWART ROLLER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Stewart Roller 
for serving the United States of America honorably during the Vietnam 
War. Stewart's commitment to the American people and 30 years of 
service to the U.S. Navy deserves to be commended.
  Stewart was born in 1939 in Parsons, Kansas. He received a bachelor's 
degree from Baker University in 1961 and enrolled in the School of 
Dentistry at the University of Missouri, where he received his Doctor 
of Dentistry Science degree in 1965.
  Instead of joining a lucrative dentistry firm, Stewart entered active 
duty just as the war in Vietnam was beginning to escalate. He completed 
Field Medical Training at Camp Pendleton and was commissioned as a 
lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
  As part of the U.S. Navy, Stewart was assigned to provide medical 
support for the Third Marine Division in Vietnam. Stewart served as an 
assistant division dental officer and provided emergency medical aid to 
wounded Marines, while also performing regular services.
  Stewart provided support for the 3rd and 4th Marine Regiments during 
Operation Hastings, their first major operation against the North 
Vietnamese Army, in July 1966. Operation Prairie followed in October 
1966, where casualties mounted for the medical staff. Stewart's service 
was vital during this operation where more than 1,400 Marines were 
killed and more than 9,000 were wounded.
  After serving in Vietnam for thirteen months, Stewart returned to the 
States and served as an Assistant Dental Officer. In July 1968, he 
transferred to the Naval Reserve, where he continued to serve as an 
Assistant Dental Officer and was promoted to Training Officer, 
Executive Officer, and Staff Dental Officer.
  In 1981, Stewart assumed duties as the Department Head for the Naval 
Reserve at Naval Air Station Lemoore. In the following years, Stewart 
was promoted to Commanding Officer for the Naval Reserve Hospital at 
Naval Air Station Lemoore and served as Staff Dental Officer for the 
Reserve Readiness Command of Region Twenty.
  From July 1988 to September 1991, Stewart served as Commanding 
Officer for the Naval Reserve Dental Clinic in San Francisco. During 
his tenure, productivity per provider rose dramatically.
  After 30 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Stewart retired with the 
rank of Captain. For his service, he was awarded the Presidential Unit 
Citation, the Navy Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, 
the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the 
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Frame, 30-Year Naval 
Reserve Award, and Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol Awards.
  In 2003, the Governor appointed Stewart to the rank of Colonel in the 
California State Military Reserve. Stewart received additional awards, 
including the California State Military Reserve Meritorious Achievement 
Medal and Military Reserve Service Ribbon.
  Stewart is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans of Foreign Wars 
Post 9896 and a Life Member of the San Francisco Dental Society, Dental 
Association, and American Dental Association.
  While serving in the reserve, Stewart also engaged in a private 
dental practice in San Francisco. He subsequently served for more than 
seven years as a staff dentist at the Valley State Prison for Women.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
service of Mr. Stewart Roller for his dedication to our country. He is 
a source of pride for our Central Valley and the entire nation.

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