Lieutenant Roy Wicker “Buddy” Skipworth USA

  2. Aggies to Recall
  3. World War II
  4. Lieutenant Roy Wicker “Buddy” Skipworth USA

Silver Star

Roy Wicker “Buddy” Skipworth was born in Kress TX on June 8, 19321 to Roy B and Ora Lew Wicker Skipworth. He was raised on the family ranch 35 miles south west of Fort Sumner NM. After graduation from Fort Sumner HS, he enrolled at NMAMC in the fall of 1939 and attended for 2 years studying Agriculture. In April of 1942 he enlisted in the U S Army. After a short period he was sent to Officer Candidate School and on December 10, 1942 he was commissioned at Fort Benning GA. At that time he was assigned to the 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division then assembling in California. In July 1943 the regiment shipped from San Francisco to retake Kiska Island in the Aleutians. Upon landing they found the Japanese had already stolen away under cover of darkness. In September 1943 the regiment was shipped to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. In February 1944 they were part of the assault force for the invasion of Kwajalein Island. For his actions as Platoon Leader for the regiment’s intel and recon platoon, Lt Skipworth would be awarded the Silver Star. October of 1944 found the regiment part of the assault force invading Leyte Island in the Philippines.

Lieutenant Roy Wicker “Buddy” Skipworth USA
The regiment fought on Leyte until February 1945 when they we relieved to prepare for the invasion of the Ryuku Islands.  On April 1, 1945 the 7th Division landed on Okinawa.  On the morning of April 5th, the 7th Division registered long advances during the day. The 184th advanced through Arakachi, and then was brought to a standstill by heavy and accurate fire from a rocky ridge called the Pinnacle after a thin coral spike that rose 30 feet above the 450-foot ridge and served as a watchtower for the Japanese. Company B, 184th Infantry, assaulted the hill on the 5th of April, 1945 but was driven back. It was apparently during this assault that Lt Buddy Skipworth gave his life in service to his nation.  In 1949 his body was returned home and reinterred at Santa Fe National Cemetery.  Lt Roy Wicker “Buddy” Skipworth was survived by his wife, Barbara Berkshire Skipworth. He was 24 years of age at the time of his death.