In partnership with the Veterans Coordination Commission, we are pleased to present the February, 2008 Veteran of the Month Recognition to Dennis A. Roy.

Dennis joined the United States Army in 1968 and was assigned to 8th of the 17th Field Artillery at Ft. Sill and then on to Vietnam where he was stationed with the 52nd Artillery group. While assigned to the 6/14th Artillery in Plieku as a surveyor and courier, he was wounded while doing courier duty from DakTo to Plieku. He was then assigned to B Company in Ben Het on the Laos and Cambodian borders and while assigned to Bravo Battery, was under siege for 52 days and surrounded by 2 NVA Divisions. Following his year in Vietnam, Dennis was set to Germany to serve on the Chezk Republic border for thirteen months and then discharged at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.

Dennis reentered the Army ten years later as a combat engineer and served in all positions from squad member to Sergeant Major. He attend schools from PNOC to the Sergeants Major Academy and graduated in the top 10% in all schools. He served at several United States bases as well as Vietnam, Germany, Bosnia, and Kosovo campaign. In Rapid City, Dennis served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the South Dakota National Guard. He has been a Drill Sergeant, an Airborne Scout, an Artillery Scout, a Forward Observer, a First SGT, an instructor and writer for the Engineer School, Operations Sergeant from company to Division Level. Dennis retired on June 1, 2004 with over 29 years of service to our Nation.

Dennis’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Campaign Medal for Bosnia and Kosovo Campaign Medal.

Dennis volunteers with the DAV, is the Adjutant for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and has been their representative in Washington DC for the State of South Dakota. He also serves on the Veterans Committee as a representative for the DAV.