William A. Roosma
{{short description|U.S. Army major general}}
{{Infobox military person
|name = William A. Roosma
|image = William A. Roosma (U.S. Army major general).jpg
|alt = 1991 color head and shoullders photo of Major General William A. Roosma in dress uniform, seated, facing front
|caption = Roosma as deputy commander of XVIII Airborne Corps in 1991
|birth_date = {{birth date|1935|4|18}}
|birth_place = Governors Island, New York, U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|2011|4|29|1935|4|18}}
|death_place = Fairfax Station, Virginia, U.S.
|placeofburial = Arlington National Cemetery
|branch = United States Army
|branch_label = Service
|serviceyears = 1958–1991
|rank = Major General
|servicenumber = 083450{{cite book |author=U.S. Army Adjutant General |date=1959 |title=U.S. Army Register |volume=I |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GIQZAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA877 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=877 |via=Google Books}}
|unit = U.S. Army Infantry Branch
|commands =
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade
- Military Science Department, Culver Military Academy
- 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 193rd Infantry Brigade
- Jungle Operations Training Center, Fort Sherman, Panama
- 2nd Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
- Armed Forces Inaugural Committee
- XVIII Airborne Corps (acting)
|battles = Vietnam War
Operation Just Cause
|battles_label = Wars
|awards = Army Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5)
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Meritorious Service Medal (4)
Air Medal (2)
Army Commendation Medal (3)
|alma_mater = United States Military Academy
Auburn University at Montgomery
Armed Forces Staff College
Air War College
|spouse = {{marriage|Sandra Youmans|1962|2011}}
|children = 2
|relations = John Roosma (father)
|laterwork =
}}
William A. Roosma (April 18, 1935 – April 29, 2011) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Vietnam War and Operation Just Cause, he attained the rank of major general and his command assignments included: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade; the Military Science Department at Culver Military Academy; 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment; the 193rd Infantry Brigade, the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman, Panama; 2nd Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division; the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee that coordinated U.S. military participation in the Second inauguration of Ronald Reagan; and acting commander of XVIII Airborne Corps.
A 1958 graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), Roosma's additional civilian education included a master's degree in public relations and a master's degree in public administration, both from Auburn University at Montgomery. His military education included graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College and Air War College. His awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, five awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Air Medal, and three awards of the Army Commendation Medal.
Early life
File:William A. Roosma (U.S. Army major general) 3.jpg
William Arnoux Roosma{{cite news |date=July 2, 1954 |title=Roosma Twins Will Go to West Point |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-twins/126515696/ |work=Herald News |location=Passaic, NJ |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} was born on Governors Island, New York on April 18, 1935,{{cite book |last=Elton |first=Robert M. |author-link=Robert M. Elton |date=May 15, 1985 |title=Department of the Army Pamphlet 360-10: Army Executive Biographies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zqRPfg2-KCEC&pg=PA833 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Department of the Army |page=833 |via=Google Books}} a son of army officer John Roosma and Marjorie (Henion) Roosma.{{cite news |date=November 14, 1983 |title=Col. Roosma, Ex-Basketball Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-star/126516118/ |work=The Record |location=Hackensack, NJ |page=A-7 |via=Newspapers.com}} The Roosma family was residing at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii when Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor took place in December 1941, and the six-year-old Roosma was a witness to the event.{{cite news |date=May 17, 1973 |title=Roosma Promoted to lieutenant colonel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-promoted/126533038/ |work=Herald News |location=Passaic, NJ |page=28 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Roosma was raised at military posts in the United States and overseas, attended The Hill School, and was a 1953 graduate of Heidelberg High School. From 1953 to 1954, he attended the Braden School in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, an academy that prepared prospective students for the entrance exams at the United States Military Academy (West Point). Roosma was a resident of Passaic, New Jersey when he was appointed to West Point in 1954.
While at the academy, Roosma played soccer and baseball in addition to being a member of the wrestling team.{{cite book |date=1958 |title=The Howitzer |url=http://www.e-yearbook.com/sp/eybb?school=61&year=1958&up=1&startpage=483 |location=West Point, NY |publisher=United States Military Academy |page=447 |url-access=subscription |via=e-yearbook.com}} He was also a member of the German language and weightlifting clubs, chapel choir, and debate council. He graduated in 1958, and received his commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry.{{cite news |date=June 5, 1958 |title=Like Father, Like Sons |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montclair-times-sons/126518469/ |work=The Montclair Times |location=Montclair, NJ |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Start of career
File:William A. Roosma (U.S. Army major general) 2.jpg
After receiving his commission, Roosma completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.{{cite news |date=October 30, 1958 |title=Military Mailbag |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/verona-cedar-grove-times-mailbag/126524534/ |work=Verona-Cedar Grove Times |location=Verona, NJ |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com}} This was followed by completion of Ranger School at Fort Benning,{{cite news |last=Trescott |first=Jacqueline |date=February 27, 1991 |title=Powell's Friends Speak Highly of Him |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-powell/126525799/ |work=Daily Press |location= Newport News, VA |page=C-1 |via=Newspapers.com}} then Fort Benning's Airborne Course.{{cite news |date=November 25, 1958 |title=Military Mailbag |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/verona-cedar-grove-times-mailbag/126524886/ |work=Verona-Cedar Grove Times |location=Verona, NJ |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}} While attending his initial training, Roosma's classmates included Colin Powell, with whom he maintained a lifelong friendship.
After his Infantry, Ranger, and Airborne training, Roosma was assigned to Company C, 1st Battle Group, 15th Infantry Regiment in Bamberg, West Germany.{{cite news |last=Carlisle |first=David B. |date=December 31, 1960 |title=Off the Cuff: A Reporter's Notes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-cuff/126526327/ |work=Herald News |location=Passaic, NJ |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} After returning from West Germany, Roosma was assigned as an instructor at the Ranger School.{{cite news |date=November 20, 1962 |title=Roosma Brothers Are Now Captains |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/verona-cedar-grove-times-captains/126530571/ |work=Verona-Cedar Grove Times |location=Verona, NJ |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} He completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1964,{{cite book |author=U.S. Army Adjutant General |date=1966 |title=U.S. Army Register |volume=I |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lCAaAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA13-PA38 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=484 |via=Google Books}} after which he was assigned to Fort Ord, California as commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade.{{cite news |date=September 9, 1965 |title=Captain William A. Roosma |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/verona-cedar-grove-times-captain/126531169/ |work=Verona-Cedar Grove Times |location=Verona, NJ |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} From 1966 to 1967, Roosma performed Vietnam War duty with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, first as the brigade's assistant operations officer (Assistant S-3), and later as operations officer (S-3) of the brigade's 3rd Battalion.{{cite news |date=October 26, 1967 |title=Awarded Legion Of Merit For Service In Vietnam |url=http://www.culverahs.com/historygallery/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/citizen1967/culver-citizen-1967-10-26.pdf |work=The Culver Citizen |location=Culver, IN |page=1}} He was promoted to major in December 1966.{{cite book |author=U.S. Army Adjutant General |date=1969 |title=U.S. Army Register |volume=I |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BOgGd1nm2wAC&pg=PA352 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=352 |via=Google Books}}
Continued career
File:William A. Roosma (U.S. Army major general) 5.jpg in 1984]]
After returning from Vietnam, Roosma was assigned as head of the Military Science Department at Indiana's Culver Military Academy.{{cite news |date=May 26, 1968 |title=Maj. Roosma to Give Talk |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-talk/126532613/ |work=South Bend Tribune |location=South Bend, IN |page=34 |via=Newspapers.com}} Roosma then completed the program of instruction at the Armed Forces Staff College.{{cite book |author=U.S. Army Adjutant General |date=1972 |title=Official Army Register |volume=I |url=https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/4344258?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a225354374e6e784461644a7268457975515370764339736d6f6f766844375951536b7962596b4732325346593d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=370 |url-access=subscription |via=Ancestry.com}} He was next assigned to the staff of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1973. Roosma served in Panama as commander of 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 193rd Infantry Brigade, then commandant of the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman.
In 1977, Roosma graduated from the Air War College.{{cite book |editor-last=Sheridan |editor-first=Eddie |date=2004 |title=Air War College Commemorative History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRiVLRHWCT4C&pg=PT94 |location=Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, AL |publisher=Air War College |page=94 |isbn=978-1-5631-1952-1 |via=Google Books}} He also completed his Master of Arts degree in Public Relations and Master of Science degree in Public Administration, both at Auburn University at Montgomery.{{cite news |date=June 5, 1977 |title=Total of 633 Grads Getting AUM Degrees |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montgomery-advertiser/41984095/ |work=Montgomery Advertiser |location=Montgomery, AL |page=5B |via=Newspapers.com}} He was subsequently assigned as inspector general of III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, followed by his 1980 selection to command 2nd Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.{{cite news |date=June 12, 1980 |title=Col. Roosma named |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-honolulu-advertiser-named/126533747/ |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |location=Honolulu, HI |page=B-13 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1982, Roosma was assigned as executive officer in the Office of the Secretary of the Army.{{cite news |date=July 18, 1982 |title=Military News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/honolulu-star-bulletin-colors/126534064/ |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |location=Honolulu, HI |page=A-23 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Later career
File:William A. Roosma (U.S. Army major general) 4.jpg
In January 1984, Roosma was promoted to brigadier general.{{cite web |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6424578 |title=Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh Jr. pins a star on the shoulder of Brigadier General William A. Roosma |last=Ward |first=Robert |date=January 23, 1984 |website=National Archives Catalog |publisher=National Archives at College Park |location=College Park, MD |access-date=June 16, 2023}} In 1984 and 1985, he served as director of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee that coordinated U.S. military activity that took place during the Second inauguration of Ronald Reagan.{{cite news |last=Struck |first=Myron |agency=The Washington Post |date=November 7, 1984 |title=It's only the morning after, but inaugural plans have already begun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle-morning/126536720/ |work=Democrat and Chronicle |location=Rochester, NY |page=9A |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1985 and 1986, Roosma served as assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry Division.{{cite book |last=Shumaker |first=Robert H. |author-link=Robert H. Shumaker |date=September 27, 1985 |title=Program: Graduation Exercises |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/36733326.pdf |location=Monterey, CA |publisher=Naval Postgraduate School |page=5}}
After promotion to major general in 1986,{{cite book |last=Hackett |first=Gerald A., Executive Clerk |date=June 18, 1986 |title=Executive Calendar: Nominations |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/executive_calendar/1986/06_18_1986.pdf |location=Washington, DC |publisher=Secretary of the United States Senate |page=8}} Roosma was assigned as deputy commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps. In this assignment, Roosma commanded troops via an Airborne Command and Control Communications Platform during Operation Just Cause.{{cite book |last=Kline |first=Jared A. |date=1991 |title=Joint Communications In Support of Joint Task Force South During Operation Just Cause |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA241732.pdf |location=Fort Leavenworth, KS |publisher=United States Army Command and General Staff College |page=126–127}} In addition, he acted as commander of the corps in 1990 during the U.S. deployment of troops to the Middle East for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=June 16, 1991 |title=Fort Bragg Deputy Commander Retires |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-retires/126515403/ |work=Asheville Citizen-Times |location=Asheville, NA |page=16-A |via=Newspapers.com}} He retired in June 1991.
Retirement and death
File:William A. Roosma (U.S. Army major general) headstone.jpg
In retirement, Roosma was a resident of Fairfax Station, Virginia.{{cite web |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/william-roosma-obituary?id=5977105 |title=Obituary, William Roosma |date=September 11, 2011 |website=Legacy.com |publisher= Legacy.com, Inc. |location=Chicago, IL |access-date=June 16, 2023 |via=The Washington Post}} Among his post-military pursuits was consulting work for corporations including McDonnell Douglas and Boeing. He died in Fairfax Station on April 29, 2011. Roosma was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Awards
Roosma's major awards and decorations included:
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit with 4 oak leaf clusters
- Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and oak leaf cluster
- Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Air Medal with oak leaf cluster
- Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
In addition, Roosma received the following qualification badges and tabs:{{cite book |date=1966 |title=Fort Ord: Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 1st Battalion, 3d Bde. |url=http://www.e-yearbook.com/yearbooks/US_Army_Training_Center_Fort_Ord_CA_Yearbook/1966/Page_1.html |location=Fort Ord, CA |publisher=U.S. Army Training Center |page=62 |url-access=subscription |via=e-yearbook.com}}
Family
In 1962, Roosma married Sandra Youmans of Estill, South Carolina.{{cite magazine |editor-last=Sinclair |editor-first=Duncan |date=Fall 1962 |title=Report: '58, Infantry; Will Roosma |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UKoTEXgnclwC&pg=PA58 |magazine=Assembly |location=West Point, NY |publisher=West Point Alumni Foundation |page=58 |via=Google Books}} They were the parents of two children, Tracey and Kelsey.
Roosma's siblings included an older brother, John S. Roosma (1929–2020), who was a career officer in the United States Air Force and retired as a colonel.{{cite magazine |last=Ferraiuolo |first=Anthony |date=March–April 2001 |title=The Class Ring Memorial Program |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vVUF1RqawyIC&pg=RA1-PP1 |location=West Point, NY |magazine=Assembly |publisher=West Point Alumni Foundation |page=51 |via=Google Books}} In addition, Roosma had a fraternal twin, Garret, who was also a member of the West Point class of 1958.{{cite magazine |last=Berman |first=Linda G. |date=January 1992 |title=Seeing Double: Twins at West Point |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZ9yvkYvJKAC&pg=RA2-PA19 |magazine=Assembly |location=West Point, NY |publisher=West Point Alumni Foundation |page=19 |via=Google Books}} Garret Roosma served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, and retired as a colonel.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZyb29zbWESB3dpbGxpYW0-/ William A. Roosma] at Arlington National Cemetery
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Category:People from Passaic, New Jersey
Category:Military personnel from Passaic County, New Jersey
Category:People from Fairfax Station, Virginia
Category:The Hill School alumni
Category:United States Military Academy alumni
Category:Joint Forces Staff College alumni
Category:Air War College alumni
Category:Auburn University at Montgomery alumni
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:Recipients of the Air Medal