Born: January 23, 1921
Died: April 20, 1982
Campaigns Served: Namur, Saipan (sick)
Highest Rank Attained: Private First Class
Decorations:
Roy Alford enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 18, from Raleigh, NC. He attended boot camp at Parris Island, and was assigned to Battery I, 3rd Defense Battalion upon graduation. In March, 1940, Alford was transferred to Battery H, .50 Caliber Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns.
For the month of April, 1940, Alford was stationed aboard the USS Chaumont, a venerable old troop transport, and the alighted in Pearl Harbor, where he was assigned to Battery I, .30 Caliber Machine Guns with the Marine detachment there.
He was promoted to Private First Class in September of 1940.
Alford probably joined up with the unit that was to become Able Company shortly after their arrival in California. He was present when they were officially designated. He was briefly confined to the brig in August, 1943, but was soon released without any lasting punitive charges.
Roy Alford served as a rifleman during the battle of Namur, and with the duty section on Saipan. He was evacuated from the latter island due to illness, returned to the company briefly, and evidently suffered a relapse as he was evacuated again before the Tinian campaign. He did not return to the company.
After his discharge, Alford returned to North Carolina. He died in 1982 and is buried in Cross Creek Cemetery #4 in Fayetteville.
Photo by P. Bible, FindAGrave.com volunteer