Sergeant Rock Comic Book (DC Comics)
Image: Author
A few weeks back, I found a DC Comic book from my youth. As a “baby boomer” and history buff, I found Sergeant Rocks' adventures hugely entertaining. He pretty much won World War II single-handedly.
Shortly thereafter, while combing through the Framingham History Center’s (FHC) amazing archives, I stumbled upon a 1931 obituary that discussed Framingham’s own Sergeant Joseph William Rock, a three war veteran. Here is his story…….
1931 Obituary for Sgt. Joseph W. Rock US Army (retired)
Image: Framingham History Center(FHC)/Boston Globe 7 May 1931
Joseph William Rock was born on 10 November 1880 in Framingham. His Irish parents, William (1848-1889) and Catherine (1852-1920) lived on Danforth Street. William was a mill-hand at Saxonville Mills. Not much is known about the early life of his son Joseph. As of this writing, there is no mention of him attending school. At that time, this was not uncommon. We do know, however, that he volunteered to serve in the Spanish-American War.
On 13 February 1898, the USS MAINE exploded in Spanish owned Havana Harbor, Cuba. On 24 April 1898, the US declared war on Spain. In May of 1898, 17 year old Joseph mustered with the 6th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment (6th MVI) at Camp Dalton (the “Musterfield”) in Framingham. He was assigned to Company E, which consisted mostly of recruits from South Framingham. His company was led by Captain John S. McNeilly. The Regiment was commanded by Brighton (MA) born Colonel Edmund Rice. Rice was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery while repelling Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg in 1863. For this deployment, the 6th MVI consisted of 47 officers and 896 enlisted troops. After initial training, the Regiment (with Company E) was sent to Puerto Rico (via Virginia) to engage Spanish forces stationed on that island.
The 6th MVI Heading Off to War
Image: The Spanish American War Database
Well Wishes to the Departing Soldiers from the People of Framingham, 1898 (same Concord St. location,opposite sides of the banner)
Images: FHC Archives
On 25 July, the regiment landed at Guanica, Puerto Rico. While the unit was involved in skirmishes and a minor engagement (the Battle of Yauco), the challenging climate and its tropical diseases (malaria, yellow fever) and poor sanitation-related typhoid were more problematic than the Spanish opposition. In total, the 6th MVI suffered four men wounded in action with 25 soldiers dying of disease. Hostilities ceased on 12 August 1898 with the signing of an armistice. The regiment returned to Boston in October of 1898 and was formally mustered out on January 21, 1899. The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the war, was signed on 10 December 1898. As a result of this short conflict, the US gained control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, Hawaii, Wake Island and several of the Samoan Islands.
In 1900, Joseph was a member of the 9th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Company L). In 1901, he enlisted in the Regular Army, thus beginning a 25+ year military career. From 1901 to 1914, he served in positions of increasing responsibility with the 7th, 12th and 15th Cavalry Regiments.
By 1908, he was a Sergeant in the 5th Cavalry at Fort Bliss, Texas. From 1914 to 1917, Joseph would serve with the 12th Cavalry. On 09 March 1916, the Mexican outlaw Francisco “Pancho” Villa raided Columbus, New Mexico. This brazen, deadly attack (17 Americans were killed) was the catalyst that prompted the US to organize a military response into northern Mexico (the “Punitive Expedition”). The operation was led by US Army General John J. Pershing, who would later be designated the head of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Europe. Over 10,000 US troops participated in this 11-month operation, including infantry, cavalry, motorized and aviation units.
"Pancho" Villa
Image: PBS/American Experience
Marching into Northern Mexico, February 1917
Image: Library of Congress/US Army Center of Military History
For this particular effort, the 12th Cavalry patrolled the Mexican Border and ensured the safety of logistics/supply operations. The 12th did participate in violent skirmishes with Villa’s men. The expedition ended on 05 February 1917. While Pancho Villa was not apprehended, many historians feel the size and complexity of this operation provided the Army with a valuable dress rehearsal for what was soon to come in Europe.
Heading Off to War Again – Framingham, 1917
Image: FHC Archives
The Great War,aka World War One (WWI), spanned from 1914-1918. It was a major global conflict. Battles were fought on several continents, at sea and in the air. Many of these engagements lasted several months instead of days. Casualties were on an unprecedented scale. Great Britain and her Commonwealth Nations suffered approximately one million military deaths. After over two years of neutrality, the US officially entered the war on 06 April 1917 when Congress passed a resolution declaring war on Germany. The US sustained more than 320,000 casualties in WWI, including over 53,000 killed in action, greater than 63,000 non-combat related deaths, in no small part due to the Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918, and 204,000 wounded. The Armistice with Germany was effective at 1100 hours on 11 November 1918. This date is now celebrated as Veterans Day in the US.
In October of 1917, Joseph departed for France where he would serve as a Sergeant in the Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC) of the 29th Infantry Division (29th ID).The 29th was established in July of 1917. The division was originally manned by National Guardsmen from Maryland and Virginia. Its sleeve patch and nickname, “the Blue and Gray Division,” reflects the fusion of states (and men) that had been on opposing sides in the Civil War. The 29th was commanded by Major General Charles G. Morton.
29th ID Sleeve Insignia
Image: Public Domain
As a Sergeant in the HHC, Joseph would have been tasked with supporting the coordination of complex combat operations,and division-wide logistics, communications and personnel related tasks. These were/are still no small efforts on dynamic, modern battlefields.
The 29th ID, as part of the American First Army, was attached to the French XVII Corps for the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. This significant operation was a part of the final Allied offensive of the war. It was fought from 26 September until 11 November 1918, when the Armistice with Germany took effect. It was the largest operation of the AEF in World War I, with over a million Americans engaged. It resulted in over 26,000 “leathernecks” and “doughboys” being killed in action (KIA) and over 120,000 total casualties. During its AEF service, the 29th captured 2,187 prisoners. 29th ID casualties totaled 5,570, of which 1,053 were killed in action or died of wounds. (Source: Commission on Massachusetts' Part in the World War, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1931)
US Troops In Action Against German Positions, 1918
Image: National Archives
Joseph remained in Europe until mid-1919. His next Army posting was Panama as a First Sergeant, a very important non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank. He returned from Panama in 1921 and retired circa 1925. He moved back to Framingham where he lived with his sister, Maria Carey on Cottage Street. He passed away on 07 May 1931 at the age of 50. His final resting place is in St. George Cemetery on Cherry Street in Framingham.
A career in the military involves both hardships and sacrifice. Some assignments/postings can be difficult for both the service member and his or her family. Many family milestones and/or life events we take for granted are missed, cancelled or perhaps even never happen. Joseph served his country during both war and peace, frequently in dangerous, isolated and spartan locations. Reflecting on his service will remind us of the role he and his peers played in making our country what it is today.
Watch
March 1916: The Punitive Expedition into Mexico
Sources
“Framingham, An American Town,” by Stephan Herring
Framingham History Center
Library of Congress
Massachusetts National Guard, Historical Services Directorate
“My Experiences in the World War, Volume II,” by General John J. Pershing, 1931
National Archives
National Museum of the United States Army
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Naval History and Heritage Command
PBS/American Experience
“Report of the Commission on Massachusetts' Part in the World War” by the Commission on Massachusetts' Part in the World War (Stevens, Jesse F. Stevens, 1929)
The Spanish-American War Database
US Army Center of Military History
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