Keller Emrick Rockey | |
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Lieutenant General Keller E. Rockey
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Born |
Columbia City, Indiana |
September 22, 1888
Died | June 6, 1970 Harwich Port, Massachusetts |
(aged 81)
Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1913–1950 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands held |
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps 5th Marine Division III Amphibious Corps Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic |
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
Navy Cross French Fourragère |
Navy Cross
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
Distinguished Service Medal (Navy)
Keller Emrick Rockey (September 22, 1888 – June 6, 1970) was a highly decorated Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps, who commanded the Fifth Marine Division in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II and the Third Amphibious Corps during the occupation of North China following the war.
For outstanding services with the Third Amphibious Corps, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army), and for exceptionally meritorious service with the Fifth Marine Division, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (Navy). The citation for the latter reads in part:
...a bold tactician, he landed his forces at the base of Mount Suribachi. Deploying his units according to plan, he quickly cut the island in two. Directing the assault with superb generalship he moved his forces inexorably forward and captured the mountain. Continuing his attack to the north, he waged furious battle until he had succeeded in annihilating the last pocket of Japanese resistance.
Keller Rockey was born September 22, 1888, in Columbia City, Indiana. He was a graduate of Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Science degree, and was a student at Yale University. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps, November 18, 1913.