Memorial

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T/4 Rockwell R. Easton graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1937.

He 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."

T/4 Easton was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation reads: For gallantry in action on 1 May 1945, near ****, Germany. While on a wire patrol, T/4 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, T/4 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, T/4 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.