[1] At the start of US involvement in World War I in 1917, the sixteen-year-old Roberts lied about his age so he could enlist in the United States Army.

[1] While on guard duty on May 14, 1918, Roberts and private William Henry Johnson fought off a 24-man German patrol, though both were severely wounded.

[9] According to news accounts, Roberts and his wife Iola jointly decided to commit suicide, and hanged themselves in the basement of their home.

[10] In fact, Roberts had previously been arrested on a similar charge; he was acquitted, but his first wife divorced him.

[12] As a result of this record, some authors and historians believe it likely that the arrests and criminal charges were motivated by racism rather than actual misconduct.