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Virginia Military Institute Archives
VMI ArchivesPreston Library
Lexington, VA 24450
Business Number: 540-464-7516
archives@vmi.edu
URL: http://www.vmi.edu/archives
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions.
Preferred Citation
Samuel D. Rockenbach Papers, 1889-1945. MS 0001. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was received from the estate of Samuel D. Rockenbach in 1953.
Biographical / Historical
Samuel Dickerson Rockenbach was born on January 27, 1869 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He graduated from VMI in 1889 and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1891. He married Emma Baldwin on October 19, 1898.
Prior to World War I, Rockenbach saw tours of duty in Cuba, the Philippines, various United States posts, and served as a military observer in Germany in 1914.
He arrived in France in June 1917 with the American Expeditionary Force, and from 1917 to 1919 served as Chief of the newly formed Tank Corps. He was notable for his role in the establishment of the Tank Corps and for his work in the development of tank warfare.
At the end of the War, Rockenbach continued his work with tanks, serving as the Army's Chief of the Tank Corps and as Commander of the Tank School at Camp Meade, Maryland. He retired to Brownsville, Texas in 1933 and died in 1952 at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Scope and Contents
The Samuel D. Rockenbach papers consist of papers (1,000 items) that document Rockenbach's career in the United States Army. Topics include: His duties as Engineer officer in Cuba (1898-1902) His duties in the Phillippines (1903-1910) His duties France as Chief of the Tank Corps, American Expeditionary Forces (1917-1919) His postwar work with the Tank Corps until his retirement in 1933 The collection contains the following: Correspondence and memoranda (1889-1945) Military orders (1891-1933) Photographs Miscellaneous personal documents (certificates, travel souvenirs, etc.) Tank Corps material, including operations reports (1918), numerous photographs of early tank designs and tank maneuvers, drawings of tank designs, and reports and minutes of the Inter-Allied Tank Committee. Letters and photographs documenting the early army career of George S. Patton, Jr., who served under Rockenbach during World War I (ca. 15 items). Other notable correspondents are John J. Pershing, Leonard Wood, Douglas MacArthur, James G. Harbord, and Charles P. Summerall.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into 8 series:
1. Correspondence and memoranda, 1889-1945
2. Military orders, 1891-1933
3. Subject files
4. Articles by Rockenbach
5. Speeches and lectures
6. Personal file
7. Bound volumes and printed material
8. Photographs
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Correspondence
- Cuba—History—1899-1906
- Generals—United States
- Harbord, James G. (James Guthrie), 1866-1947
- MacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964
- Memorandums
- Military records
- Orders (military records)
- Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945
- Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948
- Philippines—History—1898-1946
- Philippines—History—Philippine American War, 1899-1902
- Photographs
- Reports
- Speeches, Addresses, etc.
- Summerall, Charles Pelot, 1867-1955
- United States. Army—American Expeditionary Forces
- United States. Army—Division of the Philippines
- United States. Army—Officers—Biography
- Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1889
- Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927
- World War, 1914-1918
- World War, 1914-1918—Tank warfare
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Harbord, James G. (James Guthrie), 1866-1947
- MacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964
- Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945
- Pershing, John J. (John Joseph), 1860-1948
- Rockenbach, Samuel D. (Samuel Dickerson), 1869-1952
- Summerall, Charles Pelot, 1867-1955
- Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927
Container List
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 1
Correspondence and memoranda1889-1896English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 2
Correspondence and memoranda1898English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 3
Correspondence and memoranda1899-1902English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 4
Correspondence and memoranda1903-1904English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 5
Correspondence and memoranda1905-1909English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 6
Correspondence and memoranda1910-1912English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8
Correspondence and memoranda1913-1916English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 8
Correspondence and memoranda1917English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 9
Correspondence and memoranda1918 January-JuneEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 10
Correspondence and memoranda1918 July-SeptemberEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 11
Correspondence and memoranda1918 October-DecemberEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 12
Correspondence and memoranda1919 January-FebruaryEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 13
Correspondence and memoranda1919 March-AprilEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 14
Correspondence and memoranda1919 May-DecemberEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 15
Correspondence and memoranda1920English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 16
Correspondence and memoranda1921English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 17
Correspondence and memoranda1922 January-JuneEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 18
Correspondence and memoranda1922 July-DecemberEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 19
Correspondence and memoranda1923 January-JuneEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 20
Correspondence and memoranda1923 July-DecemberEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 21
Correspondence and memoranda1924English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 22
Correspondence and memoranda1925English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 23
Correspondence and memoranda1926English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 24
Correspondence and memoranda1927-1928English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 25
Correspondence and memoranda1929English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 26
Correspondence and memoranda1930-1945English.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Folder: 27
Correspondence and memorandaundatedEnglish.
Chronological
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 1
Military orders1891-1899English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 2
Military orders1900-1903English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 3
Military orders1904-1909English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 4
Military orders1910-1912English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 5
Military orders1913-1916English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 6
Military orders1917English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 7
Military orders1918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 8
Military orders1919English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 9
Military orders1920-1933English.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Folder: 10
Index to World War I ordersEnglish.
Alphabetical
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 1
Baltic SocietyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 2
French Tank Service and SchoolEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 3
Germany military observation trip1914-1915English.Scope and Contents
Contains instructions, reports, and miscellany.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 4
Inter-Allied Tank Committee first session minutes1918 May 6-7English.Scope and Contents
Minutes of the first session.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 5
Inter-Allied Tank Committee first session reports and resolutions1918 May 6-7English.Scope and Contents
Reports and resolutions from the first session.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 6
Inter-Allied Tank Committee second session minutes1918 June 5English.Scope and Contents
Minutes of the second session.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 7
Inter-Allied Tank Committee third session agenda and minutes1918 July 8English.Scope and Contents
Agenda and imnutes from the third session.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 8
Inter-Allied Tank Committee fourth session minutes1918 October 10English.Scope and Contents
Minutes of the fourth session.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 9
Inter-Allied Tank Committee reportsPatton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-19451918 MayEnglish.Scope and Contents
Reports, including a report by Lt. Col. George S.Patton, Jr.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 10
Inter-Allied Tank Committee documentsEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 10A
George S. Patton, Jr. documentsEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 11
St. Nazaire AssociationEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 12
World War I Tank Corps operations report1918 September-NovemberEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 13
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 11918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 14
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 21918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 15
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 31918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 16
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 4Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-19451918English.Scope and Contents
Operations report, appendix 4 titled "Operations of the 304th Tank Brigade, September 12th to 15th, 1918. St. Mihiel Salient." Written by Colonel George S. Patton, Jr., Brigade commander.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 17
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 51918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 18
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 61918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 19
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 71918English.Scope and Contents
Operations Report, Appendix 7
"Report of Commander, 1st French Tank Brigade, Meuse-Argonne " - Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 20
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 81918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 21
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 91918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 22
World War I Tank Corps operations report appendix 101918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 23
World War I Tank Corps 301st Tank Battalion service record1918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 24
World War I Tank Corps casualties list1918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 25
World War I Tank Corps Samuel D. Rockenbach personal notes1918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 26
World War I Tank Corps notes on tank economics1918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 27
Tank Corps organization proposal1921English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 28
Tank School at Camp Meade reportEnglish.Scope and Contents
Report on organization and objectives.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 29
Tank diagrams and blueprints1918English.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Folder: 30
Samuel D. Rockenbach VMI subject fileEnglish.Scope and Contents
This folder contains notes on the Class of 1889, a letter of recommendation, and an order.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 1
The Tank School at Camp Meade1922English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 2
American Tanks1923English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 3
Weight and Dimensions of Tanks1923English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 4
General Pershing's Influence in Connection with My Work in the AEF1934English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 5
American Tanks Since the World WarEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 6
The Tank Corps of the AEFEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 7
Miscellaneous articlesEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 8
The Tank Corps - What the General and General Staff Officers Should Know1919English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 9
The Tank Corps - A Talk to the General Staff1919English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 10
Remarks at the Conference of Department and Division Commanders1920English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 11
Tanks in the World War1922English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 12
Tanks1923English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 13
Tanks: Functions in Relation to DesignundatedEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 14
Certificates of Award for war serviceEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 15
CertificatesEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 16
Service records and efficiency reportsEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 17
Postcards1914-1915English.Scope and Contents
Souvenir postcards from Europe.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 18
Paris trip mementos1926English.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 19
InvitationsEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 20
Christmas CardsEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 21
Clippings about Samuel D. RockenbachEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 4 Folder: 22
MiscellaneousEnglish.
-
Reports and orders1888-1920English.
-
The Final Report of General John J. Pershing
-
Pamphlets and miscellanyEnglish.
Alphabetical
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 1
Baltic ClubEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 2
Calvin CoolidgeEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 3
E. Robert CotesworthEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 3A
San Juan Hill, CubaEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 4
Admiral Albert GleavesEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 5
James G. HarbordEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 5A
Charles LindberghEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 6
ParadeEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 6A
George S. Patton Jr.English.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 7
General John J. PershingEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 8
PhilippinesEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 8A
Emma RockenbachEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 9
Samuel D. RockenbachEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 10
Samuel D. Rockenbach and Emma RockenbachEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 11
Spanish American War artilleryEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 12
Spanish American War memorialEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 13
Tank Corps soldier and officerEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 14
Tanks Corps basketball and football teamEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 15
Tank Corps maneuverEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 16
Tank Corps 16th Tank BattalionEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 17
Tank School at Camp MeadeEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 18
TanksEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 19
TanksEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 20
TanksEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 21
World War I American Expeditionary Force arrive in Paris1917 JulyEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 22
World War I American Expeditionary Forces officerEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 23
World War I St. Nazaire cemeteryEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 24
Lynchburg, Virginia World War I memorialEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 25
World War I French farmers, countrysideEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 27
World War I troop shipEnglish.
- Mixed Materials box: 6 Folder: 27
Miscellaneous and unidentifiedEnglish.