AT1 James Le Roy Roach
May 4, 1937 – April 15, 1969
James was living in Jacksonville, Arkansas when he enlisted in the U.S Navy. Trained as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT), he was crew member of an EC-121 surveillance aircraft.
On April 15, 1969, while on a surveillance mission over the Sea of Japan in support of the Korean truce, the EC-121 aircraft he was flying in was shot down. All 31 crewmen were reported missing. He was presumed dead on May 2, 1969.
AT1 Roach was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.
Burial location:
Golden Gate National Cemetery
San Bruno, California
Plot: MA 0 123
Station HYPO 
4 May 2019 at 10:21
I will never forget this incident from N. Korea. Thanks for posting.
Tom
Sent from my iPad
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4 May 2019 at 15:14
At the time of the shootdown, Jim Roach and his family lived directly across the common from my family in Yokohama, Japan. We could literally look out the front door of our quarters and look into his. It was a very sad event for all.
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4 May 2019 at 20:22
I, too will never forget this war crime by the North Koreans. What has never been disclosed before was that SOSUS (and other sources) placed a Soviet fast attack sub in the water near where the plane was shot down. I was an “O” brancher working in the comms center at CINCPACFLT/DIRNAVSECGRUPAC when the first XCRITIC came in. We stayed here for the next 72 hours as all the shit began to hit the fan. Another odd memory I have is that command had the dispensary deliver amphetamines (aka “Black Beauties) for those of us that needed help in staying awake. It was the first time I ever took “speed,” and it was courtesy of Uncle Sam.
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21 June 2021 at 03:04
My name is Ron my dad was James Leroy Roach and I vaguely remember that event
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21 June 2021 at 22:18
Ron,
I am the person who remembered your Father on Station HYPO. Please contact me at mario.Vulcano62@gmail.com
Thank you,
Mario
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