Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
EASTON, Rockwell Robert "Rocky"
Date of birth
21 November 1919
Age
25
Place of birth
Bradley, Monterey County, California
Hometown
Mono County, California

Military service

Service number
39086406
Rank
Technician Fourth Grade
Function
unknown
Unit
HQ & HQ Company,
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
1 May 1945
Place of death
In the Cologne area, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Plot Row Grave
B 13 11

Immediate family

Members
Horace R. Easton (father)
Lydia L. (Hyatt) Easton (mother)
Marjorie Easton (sister)
Phyllis A. Easton (sister)
Helen J. Easton (sister)

More information

T/4 Rockwell R. Easton enlisted in Presidio of Monterey, California on 20 January 1942.

Story from a comrade, Jack L. Bommer:
"Rocky and I became close friends the first day I was with the 504th in Italy, on a trail going up Hill 1205. Enemy mortar fire was following the trail down the hillside perfectly, curve for curve, bend for bend. I was carrying a five-gallon water can on my backpack, and I fell to find cover. In doing so, I lost my helmet and was in the middle of the trail with no cover at all. Shells were exploding within five feet of me and all of a sudden, I felt 'something' fall on me. That 'something' remained on me until the barrage moved downhill. I felt the 'something' move from my back, and a voice said, 'I think its okay now! Let's get the hell out of here!' The 'something' that I felt and saved my life was Rockwell Easton."

Source of information: André Koch, Terry Hirsch, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, http://www.ww2 airborne.us/units/504/504_honor_eg.html, www.ancestry.com - 1920/1930 Census

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet, Mary Susan Taylor, Pacific Grove High School Alumni Association