For Cherry Hill resident Jim Roskoph, his time in the Navy wasn’t just a few years of service. It was his career.
Roskoph served in the Navy from 1956 through 1978. He had seen it all, serving during peacetime and war, domestically and abroad, in and out of combat.
“I served on ships, of course, mostly out of the East Coast, Charleston, Key West,” Roskoph said. “I spent 18 months in Vietnam and 14 months of Iran.”
Roskoph’s time in Vietnam stuck out to him in particular. He spent much of his time on the country’s west coast, patrolling the main rivers.
With the rivers acting as the main source of transportation in Vietnam, the military used them to transport troops and materials. Roskoph and his comrades had the important job of making sure the river did not become under siege.
“We just did our job,” he said. “It was almost like being a cop. We usually ran two patrols a day — one in the morning and one at night.”
Roskoph estimated he was involved in about 10 fire fights during these patrols. The fights were fast and furious, forcing troops to act quickly.
“It happens so quick, you don’t have time to think,” he said. “You just act. That’s what we’re trained to do.”
Roskoph’s patrol has successes. He recalled one time when his troops compromised the mail system of the Viet Cong. They were able to intercept the mail and get valuable information from the enemy.
The Navy’s efforts were recognized by some of the South Vietnamese supporters.
“I had these two midshipmen that we were training,” Roskoph said. “An old man came out with a guitar-like instrument. He wanted to play us a song to thank us because, since we were patrolling the rivers, he was able to take his crops to market.”
However, the reality of war still loomed large. Roskoph learned a few days later from a couple of fishermen that the old man was assassinated. He never learned what happened with the rest of the man’s family.
The story about the old man was just one of many stories of people who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. Roskoph said many military personnel lost their lives during combat, but during the war, there was no time to reflect on it.
“You kind of distance yourself,” he said. “I had to make decisions every day that affected 10 other people. Things happen so fast that there is no other thought process. Most people don’t think about it, but young men fight wars. If you dwell on it a lot, you won’t make it.”
Roskoph faced many trials and tribulations during his time in combat, but he said it pales to what other veterans have faced. Roskoph grew up during World War II and said veterans from that war had to deal with a lot more turmoil and stress.
“I just have so much respect for those guys and what they went through,” he said. “It’s really hard to imagine what they put up with. Those guys were in combat for two, three years, steady.”
Today, Roskoph said support for veterans has vastly improved from when he served. He gives credit to New Jersey in recognizing veterans through countless ceremonies and tributes.
“This area, particularly, has a very strong tie to the military as far as honoring them or thanking them,” Roskoph said. “On Memorial Day, there’s plenty of ceremonies.”
With Memorial Day one week away, Roskoph believes veterans and their families appreciate the remembrance they receive around this time of year.
“People make an effort,” he said. “I think it’s important to the guys.”
Roskoph has met many veterans and young men wanting to join the military. He is always willing to talk to a young person who is unsure about joining the military. He gives them a candid view of what to expect, outlining the pros and cons.
Roskoph’s daughter, Carole, is a teacher at Cherry Hill High School West and he has heard stories of students who have expressed interest in the military and attended boot camps. While he acknowledges the military isn’t for everyone, he is glad to hear the military has positively affected some teens.
“She made a comment that some of these kids coming back from boot camp were different kids,” Roskoph said about Carole. “She didn’t realize how much that short exposure to the military changes these kids.”
Likewise, the navy molded Roskoph into the person he remains today. Despite all the struggles and tough times he endured over the years, he said he lives today with no regrets.
