Samuel Rockenbach


Samuel Dickerson Rockenbach was an American Brigadier General and father of the United States Tank Corps.

Biography

Rockenbach was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on January 27, 1869, the son of Frank J. Rockenbach and Jane Nicolson Rockenbach. He attended the Virginia Military Institute, where he graduated third in the class of 1889 and was designated a distinguished graduate.
In 1898, Rockenbach married Emma Baldwin, who was the daughter of Theodore Anderson Baldwin.
Rockenbach was the commander of Kemper Military School and also served in the Missouri Militia. He received a commission in the United States Cavalry in 1891. He served repeatedly with John J. Pershing, including serving as quartermaster during the Pancho Villa Expedition. In 1912, Rockenbach graduated from the United States Army War College.

During World War I

In December 1917, he was appointed by Pershing to command the AEF's Tank Corps.
In 1918, Rockenbach organized, trained, equipped, and deployed the first American tank units to the European Western Front during World War I.

After World War I

He remained chief of the Tanks Corps until 1920. He directed the tank school at Fort Meade, Maryland until 1924.
From 1928 to his retirement in 1933, he commanded the Second Artillery Brigade at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Rockenbach died on May 16, 1952.

Awards

Rockenbach received the Army Distinguished Service Medal. In addition, he was a recipient of the French Croix de Guerre and Officer of the Legion of Honor awards, and the Commander of the Order of the Bath from Great Britain.

Legacy

His papers are held by the Virginia Military Institute.