Carson Abel Roberts

Roberts was born on September 4, 1905, in Lancaster, Wisconsin. He graduated from high school in Madison, Wisconsin, and obtained a B.D. in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.[1] Roberts married Evelyn Gresham, who died in 1977. He died on December 19, 1983, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and is buried with Evelyn at Arlington National Cemetery.

Roberts joined the Marines in 1929. In 1934, he was designated an aviator. During World War II, he served with Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Following the war, he was named assistant chief of staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Later he commanded the Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake.

During the Korean War, he served as deputy chief of staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, later becoming chief of staff. He also commanded Marine Aircraft Group 33. From 1952 to 1953, he served as chief of staff of aircraft of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. Later he was named assistant commander of Marine Corps Air Station Quantico. He served as inspector general of the Marine Corps and as director of armed forces information and education with the United States Department of Defense.

In 1957, he became deputy chief of staff of plans at the headquarters of the Marine Corps. From there, he became commanding general of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Later he became commanding general of aircraft of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, before being named commander of the entire Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in 1962. His retirement was effective as of March 1, 1964.

Awards he received include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with valor device, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with award star and valor device, the Presidential Unit Citation, the American Defense Service Medal with base clasp, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three award stars, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with four award stars, the United Nations Korea Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.