WAR DEPARTMENT
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
WASHINGTON D.C.

IN REPLY TO.
AGPC-G 201 Rockwell, Thomas L.
(10 Apr 45) 143002 01325618

29 May 1945

Mr. Emory B. Rockwell
21 Nichols Street Wellsboro, Pennsylvania



Dear Mr. Rockwell:
I am writing to you concerning your son, Second Lieutenant Thomas L. Rockwell, who has been reported killed In action in Belgium.

The loss you have suffered in the death of your valiant son is great and I fully appreciate your added distress occasioned by the absence of the details and the conflicting information you have received regarding the date. Mr. Hugh A. Kerwin of the Veterans Employment Service addressed to Colonel J. Bryan Hobbs of my office, on 31 March 1955, a communication requesting, in your behalf, information concerning the death of your son. He was advised in my reply of 10 April 1945, that an inquiry had been dispatched to the Commanding General of the European Theater of Operations for verification of the date of Lieutenant Rockwell's death and a report of all the available information regarding the attending circumstances.

The report received in the War Department states that, on 24 December 1944, Lieutenant Rockwell, as assistant platoon leader, advanced to investigate peculiar noise, unknown to his troops, in the vicinity of Rencheaux, Belgium, and detected an enemy patrol attempting to infiltrate our position. During the ensuing skirmish in which grenades were thrown and rifle shots fired, your son was wounded, losing consciousness immediately, and was removed to the command post where he was given medical attention and placed on a stretcher in a Jeep for evacuation, at which time his death occurred. Before Lieutenant Rockwell's remains could be removed, the enemy launched a full scale attack and the covering forces were compelled to withdraw hastily. On 8 January 1945, when our forces recaptured Rencheaux, your son's remains were recovered and Identified.

The Quartermaster General of this city, has Jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the burial of our military personnel who die overseas and any inquiries you may have concerning the location of Lieutenant Rockwell grave or his burial should be addressed to that official.

You, and the other members of the family, have my heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement and I trust that, in the days to come, the knowledge of your son's heroic sacrifice may be a comfort to you in your sorrow.