This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Cpl Steven Ryan (LoneWolf)
to remember
Marine LtGen Keller E Rockey.
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Last Address Columbia City
Date of Passing Jun 06, 1970
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
ROCKEY, KELLER EMRICK (First Award) Captain, U.S. Marine Corps 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. Date of Action: June 6, 1918
Citation:
The Navy Cross is presented to Keller Emrick Rockey, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action at Chateau-Thierry, France, on June 6, 1918. Captain Rockey performed distinguished service by bringing up supports and placing them in the front lines at great personal exposure, showing exceptional ability and extraordinary heroism. He was indefatigable and invaluable in carrying forward the attack and organizing and holding the position.
Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross (Same Action), Navy Cross w/Gold Star (2nd Nicaragua)
ROCKEY, KELLER EMRICK (Second Award) Major, U.S. Marine Corps 1st Battalion, 11th Regiment, 2d Marine Brigade (Nicaragua), Date of Action: January 19 - November 11, 1928
Citation:
The Navy Cross is presented to Keller Emrick Rockey, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer, First Battalion, Eleventh Regiment, Second Brigade, U.S. Marine Corps, operating in the Northern Area of Nicaragua from January 19, 1928 to November 11, 1928. Major Rockey displayed great zeal, initiative and sound judgment in planning and leading many combat patrols against the numerous and active bandit groups infesting the practically unexplored area. His courage, ability and good judgment contributed largely to the successful suppression of banditry in the province of Nuevo Segovia and in the northern area.
Other Comments:
ROCKEY, KELLER EMRICK
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. Date of Action: June 6, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Keller Emrick Rockey, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action at Chateau-Thierry, France, on June 6, 1918. Captain Rockey performed distinguished service by bringing up supports and placing them in the front lines at great personal exposure, showing exceptional ability and extraordinary heroism. He was indefatigable and invaluable in carrying forward the attack and organizing and holding the position.
World War I/Champagne-Marne Campaign/Battle of Chateau-Thierry
From Month/Year
July / 1918
To Month/Year
July / 1918
Description The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on July 18, 1918 and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) under General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing. It was a battle in World War I as part of the Second Battle of the Marne, initially prompted by a German offensive launched on 15 July against the AEF, an expeditionary force consisting of troops from both the Army and Marine Corps, and the newest troops on the front.
On the morning of 18 July 1918, the French (some of them colonial) and American forces between Fontenoy and Château-Thierry launched a counter-assault under the overall direction of Allied généralissime Ferdinand Foch against the German positions. This assault on a 40 km (25 mi) wide front was the first in over a year. The American army played a role fighting for the regions around Soissons and Château-Thierry, in collaboration with predominantly French forces. The allied forces had managed to keep their plans a secret, and their attack at 04:45 took the Germans by surprise when the troops went "Over the Top" without a preparatory artillery bombardment, but instead followed closely behind a rolling barrage which began with great synchronized precision. Eventually, the two opposing assaults (lines) inter-penetrated and individual American units exercised initiative and continued fighting despite being nominally behind enemy lines.
