Rockwell Robert Easton's parents were:
Horace Robert Easton, b. Aug. 28, 1893 in San Miguel, San Luis Obispo county, CA. and d. Jan. 19, 1963 in Salinas, Monterey county, CA. &
Lida Lenore Hyatt, b. Mar. 1893 in CA. and d. Apr. 16, 1930 in Atascadero, San Luis Obispo county, CA.
On Jan. 1, 1919, Horace Robert Easton and Lida Lenore Hyatt were married and they went to live in Indian Valley.
Horace/Robert & Lida Easton's children were:
1. Rockwell Robert "Rocky Bob" Easton, b. Nov. 21, 1919 in Bradley, Monterey County, CA. and d. May 1, 1945 in Germany.
2. Marjorie "Margie" Elizabeth Easton, b. Jun. 22, 1921 in Monterey, Monterey County, CA., and d. Feb. 18, 2005. Marjorie marr. Burton Stokes.
3. Phyllis Audrey Easton, b. Dec. 21, 1924 in Pacific Grove, Monterey county, CA. and d. Apr. 6, 2008 in Mountain Grove, Wright county, MO. Phyllis marr. Thomas Findley Medlen.
4. Helen Jean "Jeannie" Easton, b. Oct. 31, 1926 in Pacific Grove, Monterey county, CA. and d. Dec. 26, 2005 in Santa Rosa, CA. Helen marr. Robert J. Wardwell on Apr. 23, 1950.
In the 1920 U. S. census, 2 mth. old Rockwell R. Easton, b. in CA., was living in Bradley, Monterey, CA. with his
26 yr. old father, Horace R Easton, a farmer engaged in general farming, b. in CA.
26 yr. old mother, Lida L. Easton, b. in CA.
23 yr. old aunt, Helen L. Easton, a public school teacher, b. in CA.
Lida's father was b. in the U.S. and her mother in FL.
Horace & Helen's father was b. in UT. and his mother in CA.
In the Apr. 19, 1930 U. S. census, 10 yr. old Robert R Easton, b. in CA., was living in Bradley, Monterey, CA. with his
37 yr. old father, Horace Easton, a farmer, b. in CA.
37 yr. old mother, Lydia (Lida) L. Easton, a homemaker and public school teacher, b. in CA.
8 yr. old sister, Marjorie Easton, b. in CA.
5 yr. old sister, Phyllis A. Easton, b. in CA.
3 yr. 10 mth. old sister, Helen Jean Easton, b. in CA.
Lida was 25 yrs. old and Horace was 37 at the time of their first marriages.
Lida's parents were both b. in the U.S.
Horace's father was b. in UT. and his mother in CA.
On Apr. 16, 1930, Rocky's mother, Lida Easton died of pneumonia.
"It is said that 'the good die young.' I'm sure that's not always true, but it does apply here. All wars take the young man for their payment - and the loss is felt forever.
Called Bobby when he was a little boy, he spent the first years of his life with both parents, Horace and Lida Easton, and was raised in Indian Valley. From the very beginning of his life, he was beloved by his whole extended family. He was the first grandchild, the first nephew, the first son. Somehow, he was never spoiled though. Bobby turned into Bob during his school years. This happy, out-going, fun loving and terribly mischievous boy spent his days being Tarzan, a Pony Express rider or an Indian when he wasn't doing his chores or going to school in his mother's living room.
"He was the eldest of the other children - his sisters, cousins and friends - and he led them through their various activities. He especially loved having his cousin, Robert White, come to visit. Robert would show him all kinds of stuff they could do that they weren't supposed to. Some of Bob's poorer exploits included setting little fires here and there (luckily none ever got out of control) and hammering .22 shells so they could explode.
When his mother died, Bob was ten and a half. The following year he moved up to his Aunt Helen's place in Buena Vista, Salinas. There he had the constant pleasure of having his cousin, Jack, for companionship. Before then he and his sister, Margie, were inseparable. Buena Vista brought a lot more boys into his range of play. In Buena Vista Bob stayed down at the little house with his Dad and Granddad, eating his meals at the big house. This arrangement alleviated his crowding at the big house.
"Horace started to be somewhat hard on Bob during this time in Buena Vista, and times got worse as the years went by. Perhaps Horace had some concept of 'making a man' out of his only son, or perhaps he was working out his own frustrations on him. Whatever, relations became strained and painful between them. However, his Aunt Helen would go down to the little house and visit for a half hour at night.
She dearly loved her nephew.
"Bob, Jack and Margie spent that first year together, being tutored by a Mr. Hall in a cabin on the property. The following year, Bob spent the 8th grade in pacific Grove Grammar School. His father had some horse stables there and he and Bob lived there. Bob lived part of the time at his Grandmother Hyatt's. It was the depression years and the stable enterprise didn't succeed, so Horace and Bob moved back to Buena Vista by the Fall of 1933.
"High school for Bob was a mixture of emotions and activities. He was very rebellious in his first years - defying the rules and challenging authority. For example, the 'No Running in the Halls' rule would find Bob waiting till his professor was watching, then he would race on by him. After each altercation of the rules a student was given so many demerits and so many demerits would place him into the Goof Class - Bob was president of the Good Class.
"His behavior at this time could have had several sources. First, all his life, until the 8th grade, he had experienced great freedom with few rules and now he was confronted by a series of 'senseless' restrictions. Secondly, he was in the midst of his adolescent years - never easy for anyone. Third, his now alcoholic father was very difficult to live with. By the time he was a junior on high school, maturity started to affect Bob Easton. He was older and times with his dad were more difficult. His sister, Phyllis, remembers, 'High school age saw him quieter and more alone. He liked to box (not fight), but always got a bloody nose right off. He was an outstanding track athlete, he ran the mile. Loved opera on the radio and played it real loud - Did well with horses, cows and pigs, not so well with his chickens. He built a fire under his jalopy to warm it up to start. He read a lot.'
"Surprisingly, Bob's intellect did show through during these turbulent years. His physics teacher told his sister, Margie, how Bob would sleep through all his classes and then get A's on the tests. By the time he neared the end of high school, Bob's relations with his father were severely strained. He is quoted to have said that he needed to graduate just to get away - and he did. The last six weeks of school saw Bob Easton really studying. He graduated in 1937 with all A's and immediately moved to Paso Robles where he worked for George Pemberton on a ranch for almost a year. Then he took off for Lee Vining, Calif. (just east of Yosemite) where he worked in the mines. His sister Phyllis Medlen remembers, '..he mined all day, skied all night, and caught pneumonia bad for the second time and barely recovered.
According to his Jul. 1, 1941 WWII Draft Registration card, 21 yr. old Rockwell Robert Easton, b. Nov. 21, 1919 in Monterey (county, CA., was working as a Miner at the Log Cabin Mine in Lee Vining, Mono county, CA. The person who would always know his address was Cliffor(d) Donnelly.
Rocky was described as having brown eyes, brown hair and a light brown complexion (neither height nor weight listed), and no other obvious physical characteristic that would aid in identification.
On Jan. 20, 1942, according to WWII Army Enlistment Records, Rockwell R. Easton enlisted as a Private at the Presidio of Monterey, CA. He was unmarried and a resident of Mono, CA. He was a high school graduate, and his civil occupation was: Semiskilled miners and mining-machine operators.
His height was listed as 6'3" and weight, 160 lbs.
"Again robust, the Army drafted him in 1942 into the Signal Corps. Then he chose the paratroops, the hardest job, but with a $100 from each jump he paid a credit grocery bill he and his friends had left in Lee Vining. He loved a girl in Lee Vining (by Mono Lake), but he did not make it home to her."
The family did not see Bob again for five years. After he was drafted he recieved training at Ft. Ord in 1942, and most of the family saw him briefly before he shipped East for parachute-infantry training. He was in the 82nd Airborne - 101st parachute Infantry. He was twenty-three.
"On entering the war, Bob went through one last name change to Rocky. He started his war in Africa. From there he went to Sicily, where he fought on to Italy and all the way north until Italy collapsed. Then he was sent to England to get ready for the D-Day assault on Europe. He was there at Normandy Beach and then fought through France, Brussels and Germany - now as a front lines communications expert - until the River Elbe was reached in May 1945. The war had ended when Bob was killed. His life was over at twenty-six years old. His last days are recorded by two men who were with him:
"Aug. 31, 1945
Berlin, Germany
Mrs. Shifley,
"Certainly was glad to hear from you. I am now in Berlin, and will be here for several months I think.
Mrs. Shifley, really sometimes things like this are very difficult to talk about, but I know you want to know about 'Rocky'. Of course I never knew him before he came to the Army, but soldiers soon become friends and get to know each other quite well, especially in combat, because each man wants to help the other man.
As I mentioned in the other letter, I have never seen another soldier that could outwork 'Rocky', and he always took care of his men too. I never heard him complain about hardships of any kind and believe me, we had lots of them too.
His death happened just a few days before the war ended, when we were out one night repairing some telephone lines that had been blown into. An American tank had been hit and was burning. We got the men out of the tank and was repairing our telephone line when a shell exploded inside the burning tank.
Pieces of it went through some of our men's clothing, but one small piece hit "Rocky" between the shoulder and neck which caused severe bleeding. We done everything possible for him, but due to the distance the Medics had to travel, it was too late. He talked to us after he was hit, and didn't suffer hardly any.
I might add that he was our communication chief and a very good one too. As far as I known he had never been wounded before. Yes, Mrs. Shifley, Rocky was always very cheerful and full of fun at all times. He liked to sing and play the guitar, and lots of nights, we would do just that and at the same time shells would be landing close by, but a soldier in combat has to get used to those things.
Thank you very much for writing, Mrs. Shifley, as I was anxious to hear from some of you. I will answer your letter anytime you want to write.
A Soldier
H. V. Moon"
"April 4, 1968
A Columbus Sign Co.
1515 East Fifth Ave.
Columbus 19, Ohio. 252-3133
Dear Mrs. Shifley,
Going through letters I wrote and received during WWII and opened and read yours to me, dated 8-15-1945.
Have I answered you? I really cannot recall.
If I haven't, I beg your humble forgiveness - for yes, I knew and idolized your nephew, 'Rocky'. He was my first 'Commander' (Sgt.). If ever there was a 'Jack of all trades', Rocky was it. He knew something about everything. Sooo talented and humble - a very talented 'man'.
I have a picture of him in the Regimental Record and will have it reproduced, and sent to you - if you want.
As for his death - I was with him - it was 3 days after we heard the war was officially over.
Rocky and I were repairing phone lines in a ditch. As tanks and trucks were moving forward, a tank set off a mine and turned on its side and caught fire - Rocky and I ran to it and pulled the crew from it. Called the Aid Men and went back to our work.
Rocky I were face-to-face taping the splice and a shell exploded in the tank - a piece of shrapnel passed thru my sleeve and into Rocky's chest. He went into the air, turning a complete somersault and landing on his back - began to talk -
He told me - 'He had - had it' and for 15 minutes told me - what to do with certain things of his - what to 'think' of him and above all to carry on and see the 'mess' thru. 'Be careful' were his last words. I left Rocky in the hands of the Medics and dragged myself back to HQ. -It was without a doubt an awful feeling, to say - Good bye to your very best friend - which to me Rocky was -
He led me - he watched me - taught me - cautioned me - guided me - on every facet of combat, and was a very 'looked up to' man in his outfit.
Mrs. Shifley, if you receive this after so many - many years, please let me hear from you.
Best regards,
Jack Bommer
1422 Zettler Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43227"
"Word of his death reached Buena Vista when Marjorie, Phyllis, Jeannie and Jean Emery were there. The call was made through to Horace in Indian Valley, where he was waiting for Alton, Helen and Don to arrive. He had a little time alone and then relayed the news to the rest of the family. Horace decided to have his son buried in the Netherlands, close to the men he had lived and died with.
I don't mean to be maudlin, but what I say now is the truth as I have observed it and felt it over the forty years of my life. Rockwell Robert Easton is still terribly grieved for by his family. His name is mentioned and a feeling of eagerness, warmth, strength and humor is immediately accompanying it - and soon after the feelings of pain, grief and anger are also felt.
"Bob would fill volumes he was so big in life. A quiet man really, but deep and thinking, and caring. A tall, handsome young man with a slow smile and kind, warm dark eyes. We do not cease to miss him terribly."
Phyllis Medlen.
"I've heard that 'Unk' (Rocky's father, Horace Easton) was short of feelings for others, or did not outwardly seem to love much. I was there at the ranch in Indian Valley on a cool, dark, gray, overcast day in Spring or Summer, with Mother and Dad both there, and maybe Robert, when the word arrived that Bob Easton was dead, and I saw a father confronted with the death of his only son, and I saw agony, hate, frustration, anger, impotence, sorrow, and I saw love, and that was Horace. The Imperturbable one."
-Don (Jayana) Emery.
The following information was contained in Rockwell Robert Easton's Silver Star Citation:
Name: Rockwell R. Easton, b. November 21, 1919 in Bradley, CA.
Home of Record:Salinas, CA.
Silver Star awarded for actions During World War II.
Service: ArmyDivision: 82d Airborne Division
General Orders: Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 78 (May 24, 1945)
His citation reads: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Technician Fourth Grade Rockwell R. Easton (ASN: 39086406), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 1 May 1945, near ****, Germany. While on a wire patrol, Technician Fourth Grade Easton was standing next to his vehicle when a passing Tank Destroyer exploded a large magnetic mine and blew it on top of his jeep. Although stunned and badly bruised, Technician Fourth Grade Easton and his crew immediately went to the burning Tank Destroyer, the ammunition of whose guns was exploding violently, and aided in the removal of its occupants. The wire to one of the forward units was broken by the force of the explosion. He began to repair this wire amid exploding shells from the burning Tank Destroyer. While engaged in this hazardous work, Technician Fourth Grade Easton was killed by flying shrapnel from the exploding ammunition. His unflinching devotion to duty and unsurpassed courage typify the spirit of the American Parachute Infantryman."
The Californian (Salinas, CA.), P. 7, Col. 2-3
Mon., Oct. 1, 1945
Silver Star Awarded
(See accompanying photo on his father's memorial)
Caption: FORT ORD - Flanked at each side by his two daughters, H. R. Easton, Box 500, River Road, Salinas, last week in a simple but impressive ceremony received the silver star decoration awarded posthumously to his son, Technician Fourth Grade Rockwell R. Easton, parachute infantry, for gallantry in action against the enemy.
Presentation of the award, one of the nation's highest, was made in behalf of the commanding general, Ninth service command, and on direction of the President, by Lt. Col. Preston D. Callum, Ford Ord staff officer, in the privacy of Fort Old's post headquarters.
The citation to the award to Sergeant Easton, who was serving in the parachute infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division when he made the supreme sacrifice in defense of his country, is as follows:
Silver Star
'For gallantry in action on 1 May, 1945, near *** Germany.
While on a wire patrol, Technician Easton was standing next to his vehicle when a passing tank destroyer exploded a large magnetic mine and blew it on top of his jeep. Although stunned and badly bruised, Technician Easton and his crew immediately went to the burning tank destroyer, the ammunition of whose guns were exploding violently, and aided in the removal of its occupants. The wire to one of the forward units was broken by the force of the explosion. He began to repair this wire amid exploding shells from the burning tank destroyer. While engaged in this hazardous work, Technician Easton was killed by flying shrapnel from the exploding ammunition. His unflinching devotion to duty and unsurpassed courage typify the spirit of the American parachute infantryman."
Rockwell Robert Easton's parents were:
Horace Robert Easton, b. Aug. 28, 1893 in San Miguel, San Luis Obispo county, CA. and d. Jan. 19, 1963 in Salinas, Monterey county, CA. &
Lida Lenore Hyatt, b. Mar. 1893 in CA. and d. Apr. 16, 1930 in Atascadero, San Luis Obispo county, CA.
On Jan. 1, 1919, Horace Robert Easton and Lida Lenore Hyatt were married and they went to live in Indian Valley.
Horace/Robert & Lida Easton's children were:
1. Rockwell Robert "Rocky Bob" Easton, b. Nov. 21, 1919 in Bradley, Monterey County, CA. and d. May 1, 1945 in Germany.
2. Marjorie "Margie" Elizabeth Easton, b. Jun. 22, 1921 in Monterey, Monterey County, CA., and d. Feb. 18, 2005. Marjorie marr. Burton Stokes.
3. Phyllis Audrey Easton, b. Dec. 21, 1924 in Pacific Grove, Monterey county, CA. and d. Apr. 6, 2008 in Mountain Grove, Wright county, MO. Phyllis marr. Thomas Findley Medlen.
4. Helen Jean "Jeannie" Easton, b. Oct. 31, 1926 in Pacific Grove, Monterey county, CA. and d. Dec. 26, 2005 in Santa Rosa, CA. Helen marr. Robert J. Wardwell on Apr. 23, 1950.
In the 1920 U. S. census, 2 mth. old Rockwell R. Easton, b. in CA., was living in Bradley, Monterey, CA. with his
26 yr. old father, Horace R Easton, a farmer engaged in general farming, b. in CA.
26 yr. old mother, Lida L. Easton, b. in CA.
23 yr. old aunt, Helen L. Easton, a public school teacher, b. in CA.
Lida's father was b. in the U.S. and her mother in FL.
Horace & Helen's father was b. in UT. and his mother in CA.
In the Apr. 19, 1930 U. S. census, 10 yr. old Robert R Easton, b. in CA., was living in Bradley, Monterey, CA. with his
37 yr. old father, Horace Easton, a farmer, b. in CA.
37 yr. old mother, Lydia (Lida) L. Easton, a homemaker and public school teacher, b. in CA.
8 yr. old sister, Marjorie Easton, b. in CA.
5 yr. old sister, Phyllis A. Easton, b. in CA.
3 yr. 10 mth. old sister, Helen Jean Easton, b. in CA.
Lida was 25 yrs. old and Horace was 37 at the time of their first marriages.
Lida's parents were both b. in the U.S.
Horace's father was b. in UT. and his mother in CA.
On Apr. 16, 1930, Rocky's mother, Lida Easton died of pneumonia.
"It is said that 'the good die young.' I'm sure that's not always true, but it does apply here. All wars take the young man for their payment - and the loss is felt forever.
Called Bobby when he was a little boy, he spent the first years of his life with both parents, Horace and Lida Easton, and was raised in Indian Valley. From the very beginning of his life, he was beloved by his whole extended family. He was the first grandchild, the first nephew, the first son. Somehow, he was never spoiled though. Bobby turned into Bob during his school years. This happy, out-going, fun loving and terribly mischievous boy spent his days being Tarzan, a Pony Express rider or an Indian when he wasn't doing his chores or going to school in his mother's living room.
"He was the eldest of the other children - his sisters, cousins and friends - and he led them through their various activities. He especially loved having his cousin, Robert White, come to visit. Robert would show him all kinds of stuff they could do that they weren't supposed to. Some of Bob's poorer exploits included setting little fires here and there (luckily none ever got out of control) and hammering .22 shells so they could explode.
When his mother died, Bob was ten and a half. The following year he moved up to his Aunt Helen's place in Buena Vista, Salinas. There he had the constant pleasure of having his cousin, Jack, for companionship. Before then he and his sister, Margie, were inseparable. Buena Vista brought a lot more boys into his range of play. In Buena Vista Bob stayed down at the little house with his Dad and Granddad, eating his meals at the big house. This arrangement alleviated his crowding at the big house.
"Horace started to be somewhat hard on Bob during this time in Buena Vista, and times got worse as the years went by. Perhaps Horace had some concept of 'making a man' out of his only son, or perhaps he was working out his own frustrations on him. Whatever, relations became strained and painful between them. However, his Aunt Helen would go down to the little house and visit for a half hour at night.
She dearly loved her nephew.
"Bob, Jack and Margie spent that first year together, being tutored by a Mr. Hall in a cabin on the property. The following year, Bob spent the 8th grade in pacific Grove Grammar School. His father had some horse stables there and he and Bob lived there. Bob lived part of the time at his Grandmother Hyatt's. It was the depression years and the stable enterprise didn't succeed, so Horace and Bob moved back to Buena Vista by the Fall of 1933.
"High school for Bob was a mixture of emotions and activities. He was very rebellious in his first years - defying the rules and challenging authority. For example, the 'No Running in the Halls' rule would find Bob waiting till his professor was watching, then he would race on by him. After each altercation of the rules a student was given so many demerits and so many demerits would place him into the Goof Class - Bob was president of the Good Class.
"His behavior at this time could have had several sources. First, all his life, until the 8th grade, he had experienced great freedom with few rules and now he was confronted by a series of 'senseless' restrictions. Secondly, he was in the midst of his adolescent years - never easy for anyone. Third, his now alcoholic father was very difficult to live with. By the time he was a junior on high school, maturity started to affect Bob Easton. He was older and times with his dad were more difficult. His sister, Phyllis, remembers, 'High school age saw him quieter and more alone. He liked to box (not fight), but always got a bloody nose right off. He was an outstanding track athlete, he ran the mile. Loved opera on the radio and played it real loud - Did well with horses, cows and pigs, not so well with his chickens. He built a fire under his jalopy to warm it up to start. He read a lot.'
"Surprisingly, Bob's intellect did show through during these turbulent years. His physics teacher told his sister, Margie, how Bob would sleep through all his classes and then get A's on the tests. By the time he neared the end of high school, Bob's relations with his father were severely strained. He is quoted to have said that he needed to graduate just to get away - and he did. The last six weeks of school saw Bob Easton really studying. He graduated in 1937 with all A's and immediately moved to Paso Robles where he worked for George Pemberton on a ranch for almost a year. Then he took off for Lee Vining, Calif. (just east of Yosemite) where he worked in the mines. His sister Phyllis Medlen remembers, '..he mined all day, skied all night, and caught pneumonia bad for the second time and barely recovered.
According to his Jul. 1, 1941 WWII Draft Registration card, 21 yr. old Rockwell Robert Easton, b. Nov. 21, 1919 in Monterey (county, CA., was working as a Miner at the Log Cabin Mine in Lee Vining, Mono county, CA. The person who would always know his address was Cliffor(d) Donnelly.
Rocky was described as having brown eyes, brown hair and a light brown complexion (neither height nor weight listed), and no other obvious physical characteristic that would aid in identification.
On Jan. 20, 1942, according to WWII Army Enlistment Records, Rockwell R. Easton enlisted as a Private at the Presidio of Monterey, CA. He was unmarried and a resident of Mono, CA. He was a high school graduate, and his civil occupation was: Semiskilled miners and mining-machine operators.
His height was listed as 6'3" and weight, 160 lbs.
"Again robust, the Army drafted him in 1942 into the Signal Corps. Then he chose the paratroops, the hardest job, but with a $100 from each jump he paid a credit grocery bill he and his friends had left in Lee Vining. He loved a girl in Lee Vining (by Mono Lake), but he did not make it home to her."
The family did not see Bob again for five years. After he was drafted he recieved training at Ft. Ord in 1942, and most of the family saw him briefly before he shipped East for parachute-infantry training. He was in the 82nd Airborne - 101st parachute Infantry. He was twenty-three.
"On entering the war, Bob went through one last name change to Rocky. He started his war in Africa. From there he went to Sicily, where he fought on to Italy and all the way north until Italy collapsed. Then he was sent to England to get ready for the D-Day assault on Europe. He was there at Normandy Beach and then fought through France, Brussels and Germany - now as a front lines communications expert - until the River Elbe was reached in May 1945. The war had ended when Bob was killed. His life was over at twenty-six years old. His last days are recorded by two men who were with him:
"Aug. 31, 1945
Berlin, Germany
Mrs. Shifley,
"Certainly was glad to hear from you. I am now in Berlin, and will be here for several months I think.
Mrs. Shifley, really sometimes things like this are very difficult to talk about, but I know you want to know about 'Rocky'. Of course I never knew him before he came to the Army, but soldiers soon become friends and get to know each other quite well, especially in combat, because each man wants to help the other man.
As I mentioned in the other letter, I have never seen another soldier that could outwork 'Rocky', and he always took care of his men too. I never heard him complain about hardships of any kind and believe me, we had lots of them too.
His death happened just a few days before the war ended, when we were out one night repairing some telephone lines that had been blown into. An American tank had been hit and was burning. We got the men out of the tank and was repairing our telephone line when a shell exploded inside the burning tank.
Pieces of it went through some of our men's clothing, but one small piece hit "Rocky" between the shoulder and neck which caused severe bleeding. We done everything possible for him, but due to the distance the Medics had to travel, it was too late. He talked to us after he was hit, and didn't suffer hardly any.
I might add that he was our communication chief and a very good one too. As far as I known he had never been wounded before. Yes, Mrs. Shifley, Rocky was always very cheerful and full of fun at all times. He liked to sing and play the guitar, and lots of nights, we would do just that and at the same time shells would be landing close by, but a soldier in combat has to get used to those things.
Thank you very much for writing, Mrs. Shifley, as I was anxious to hear from some of you. I will answer your letter anytime you want to write.
A Soldier
H. V. Moon"
"April 4, 1968
A Columbus Sign Co.
1515 East Fifth Ave.
Columbus 19, Ohio. 252-3133
Dear Mrs. Shifley,
Going through letters I wrote and received during WWII and opened and read yours to me, dated 8-15-1945.
Have I answered you? I really cannot recall.
If I haven't, I beg your humble forgiveness - for yes, I knew and idolized your nephew, 'Rocky'. He was my first 'Commander' (Sgt.). If ever there was a 'Jack of all trades', Rocky was it. He knew something about everything. Sooo talented and humble - a very talented 'man'.
I have a picture of him in the Regimental Record and will have it reproduced, and sent to you - if you want.
As for his death - I was with him - it was 3 days after we heard the war was officially over.
Rocky and I were repairing phone lines in a ditch. As tanks and trucks were moving forward, a tank set off a mine and turned on its side and caught fire - Rocky and I ran to it and pulled the crew from it. Called the Aid Men and went back to our work.
Rocky I were face-to-face taping the splice and a shell exploded in the tank - a piece of shrapnel passed thru my sleeve and into Rocky's chest. He went into the air, turning a complete somersault and landing on his back - began to talk -
He told me - 'He had - had it' and for 15 minutes told me - what to do with certain things of his - what to 'think' of him and above all to carry on and see the 'mess' thru. 'Be careful' were his last words. I left Rocky in the hands of the Medics and dragged myself back to HQ. -It was without a doubt an awful feeling, to say - Good bye to your very best friend - which to me Rocky was -
He led me - he watched me - taught me - cautioned me - guided me - on every facet of combat, and was a very 'looked up to' man in his outfit.
Mrs. Shifley, if you receive this after so many - many years, please let me hear from you.
Best regards,
Jack Bommer
1422 Zettler Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43227"
"Word of his death reached Buena Vista when Marjorie, Phyllis, Jeannie and Jean Emery were there. The call was made through to Horace in Indian Valley, where he was waiting for Alton, Helen and Don to arrive. He had a little time alone and then relayed the news to the rest of the family. Horace decided to have his son buried in the Netherlands, close to the men he had lived and died with.
I don't mean to be maudlin, but what I say now is the truth as I have observed it and felt it over the forty years of my life. Rockwell Robert Easton is still terribly grieved for by his family. His name is mentioned and a feeling of eagerness, warmth, strength and humor is immediately accompanying it - and soon after the feelings of pain, grief and anger are also felt.
"Bob would fill volumes he was so big in life. A quiet man really, but deep and thinking, and caring. A tall, handsome young man with a slow smile and kind, warm dark eyes. We do not cease to miss him terribly."
Phyllis Medlen.
"I've heard that 'Unk' (Rocky's father, Horace Easton) was short of feelings for others, or did not outwardly seem to love much. I was there at the ranch in Indian Valley on a cool, dark, gray, overcast day in Spring or Summer, with Mother and Dad both there, and maybe Robert, when the word arrived that Bob Easton was dead, and I saw a father confronted with the death of his only son, and I saw agony, hate, frustration, anger, impotence, sorrow, and I saw love, and that was Horace. The Imperturbable one."
-Don (Jayana) Emery.
The following information was contained in Rockwell Robert Easton's Silver Star Citation:
Name: Rockwell R. Easton, b. November 21, 1919 in Bradley, CA.
Home of Record:Salinas, CA.
Silver Star awarded for actions During World War II.
Service: ArmyDivision: 82d Airborne Division
General Orders: Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 78 (May 24, 1945)
His citation reads: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Technician Fourth Grade Rockwell R. Easton (ASN: 39086406), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 1 May 1945, near ****, Germany. While on a wire patrol, Technician Fourth Grade Easton was standing next to his vehicle when a passing Tank Destroyer exploded a large magnetic mine and blew it on top of his jeep. Although stunned and badly bruised, Technician Fourth Grade Easton and his crew immediately went to the burning Tank Destroyer, the ammunition of whose guns was exploding violently, and aided in the removal of its occupants. The wire to one of the forward units was broken by the force of the explosion. He began to repair this wire amid exploding shells from the burning Tank Destroyer. While engaged in this hazardous work, Technician Fourth Grade Easton was killed by flying shrapnel from the exploding ammunition. His unflinching devotion to duty and unsurpassed courage typify the spirit of the American Parachute Infantryman."
The Californian (Salinas, CA.), P. 7, Col. 2-3
Mon., Oct. 1, 1945
Silver Star Awarded
(See accompanying photo on his father's memorial)
Caption: FORT ORD - Flanked at each side by his two daughters, H. R. Easton, Box 500, River Road, Salinas, last week in a simple but impressive ceremony received the silver star decoration awarded posthumously to his son, Technician Fourth Grade Rockwell R. Easton, parachute infantry, for gallantry in action against the enemy.
Presentation of the award, one of the nation's highest, was made in behalf of the commanding general, Ninth service command, and on direction of the President, by Lt. Col. Preston D. Callum, Ford Ord staff officer, in the privacy of Fort Old's post headquarters.
The citation to the award to Sergeant Easton, who was serving in the parachute infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division when he made the supreme sacrifice in defense of his country, is as follows:
Silver Star
'For gallantry in action on 1 May, 1945, near *** Germany.
While on a wire patrol, Technician Easton was standing next to his vehicle when a passing tank destroyer exploded a large magnetic mine and blew it on top of his jeep. Although stunned and badly bruised, Technician Easton and his crew immediately went to the burning tank destroyer, the ammunition of whose guns were exploding violently, and aided in the removal of its occupants. The wire to one of the forward units was broken by the force of the explosion. He began to repair this wire amid exploding shells from the burning tank destroyer. While engaged in this hazardous work, Technician Easton was killed by flying shrapnel from the exploding ammunition. His unflinching devotion to duty and unsurpassed courage typify the spirit of the American parachute infantryman."
