Captain Own Roberts II in his letter to Ngaraard State stated that he is very proud to be Palauan.
“I am very proud to be Palauan, but more importantly I am proud to be the grandson of Bells Olikong, and a native son of the people of Ngaraard Lineage, history and culture are very important to me. Knowing that I eblong to a proud and noble nation has given me the power to persevere.” Roberts stated in his letter.
Roberts II, assumed command of Medical Company Bravo, Tripler Army Medical Center Hawaii on May 29 in 2009.
Company Bravo is the largest of four companies at Tripler Army Medical Center. Its Soldiers include over 800 physicians, nurses and a variety of medical enlisted professionals who provide medical support to active duty and eligible beneficiaries within the Pacific Regional Medical Command.
Captain Roberts was born in Hawaii on the island of Oahu on June 1, 1979, graduated from Maris Stella Elementary School 1993, Leilehua High School in 1997 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Hawaii Pacific University in 2003.
He completed Army ROTC program at the University of Hawaii and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army the same year.
In July 2006, Roberts deployed was to Iraq with the 45th Sustainment Brigade and served as the Medical Operation, Logistics and Operations Planner for the 45th Sustainment Brigade, responsible for ensuring Health Service Support for all subordinate units throughout the MND-N battle space.
In Dec. 2007, Roberts was selected to be the Chief of Logistics for the U.S. Army Health Clinic at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, spearheading more than $4 million in renovation projects and where he served for the last 18 months.
During his change of command ceremony troop speech, Roberts thank God for his continued success, his parents for the tireless support and his grandfather Olikong Bells for his mentoring and guidance while he was living in Palau.
Roberts cherished the two years he spent in Palau from March 1991 through August 1993. His time with his uncles Robert, Marino, Tony and Moses Bells had a significant impact on his life.
He stated that though he is of multi-racial birth it is his Palauan roots that truly define him.
While attending Maris Stella Elementary School in Koror Palau he entered an essay contest and won affording him an opportunity and unique pleasure and privilege to be president of Palau for a “one day” during President Kuniwo Nakamura’s administration.
//
