More detail on this person: COL Roughen passed away on March 13, 2018 at Erlanger Hospital, Chattanooga TN at the age of 86. COL Roughen was most well-known for his service and love of family and country. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen Marie Roughen, two sons, Albert H. Roughen Jr. and Edward Sean Roughen, and a daughter Mary Elizabeth Roughen. He was born in Savannah on September 14, 1932, the son of Patrick H. Roughen and Margaret Blanche Lales Roughen. COL Roughen attended Marist School and graduated from Benedictine Military School. In 1950 he enlisted in the army during the Korean Conflict and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before being selected to attend the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA where he gained his officer's commission in the infantry. After Officer Candidate School COL Roughen graduated Airborne School and the prestigious Ranger School as part of Ranger Class #5. Soon after he attended the U.S. Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, AL gaining both his rotary and fixed wing qualifications. During his 24-year career COL Roughen served in a myriad of locations to include Germany, The Republic of Vietnam, and Korea. At the height of the Vietnam War COL Roughen commanded the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company nicknamed the "The Robin Hoods" where he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and 9 Air Medals. After the Vietnam War he attended the Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, KS and later served as the Post Commander at Hunter Army Airfield subsequently retiring in 1974. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in History. After retirement, COL Roughen attended John Marshal Law School in Savannah and also graduated from Savannah State College with a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts and went on to teach at the college. COL Roughen was a founding member of the Fenian Society of Savannah, GA and a former St. Patrick Day Parade Fenian Marshal. He was a skilled boat builder and loved the Thunderbolt marshes and rivers. He is survived by his sister Carolyn Roughen Moye, and his three children, Kathleen Mistoler (Dennis) of Bluffton, SC, Susan Cowart (John) of Morganton, GA and Thomas Roughen (Debra) of Savannah, GA, as well as 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2018 in the Islands Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors followed by a Rosary service at 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial: 12:00 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2018 at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church with Reverend Patrick O'Brien, Celebrant. Pallbearers will be Matthew, Daniel, and John Roughen, Jason Cowart, Stephen Mistoler, Riley Cluff, Logan Moye, and Ben Moye.
Burial information: Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA
This information was last updated 03/25/2018
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association