Remarks by family of Robert Lockerbie Rockwell: Robert L. Rockwell
(pictured above) was the 15th volunteer member of the Lafayette
Escadrille in France before entering the USAAS during WW
I. He was a distant cousin of another Escadrille member, Kiffin
Rockwell, the first American in the Escadrille to shoot down a German
aircraft.
Rockwell's training began at Pau, France in February 1916
and he received is "Brevet Francais Militaire' at the flight
school at Buc in the Bleriot aircraft in May, 1916. In September
1916, while in Paris, Rockwell was selected by the French commander
of Lafayette Escadrille to replace Victor Chapman, the first American
killed in combat with the Escadrille, shot down by Manfred von
Richthofen. He flew patrols and fighter escort missions in the
Nieuport 17 out of Luzeuil in the Vosges sector of the front.
In May
1917 Rockwell received the Croix de Guerre With Palm as a result of
combat in which his Nieuport received serious damage. He had dropped
down behind a group of seven German fighers which then swarmed him.
After returning to his base he counted 27 bullet holes on either side
of his cockpit and numerous other hits all over the plane. In June
1917 his squadron received SPAD VII fighters. In August the squadron
was flying 3 sorties per day for 24 days without interruption.
On
September 24 the engine of Rockwell's SPAD failed while flying above
a German formation. He plunged the aircraft through the German
formation. His oil radiator burst spewing castor oil over his
windscreen and goggles. Nearly blinded and with an enemy formation
now on his tail, Rockwell continued in an extended dive hoping his
pursuers would think him dead and break away. His ruse worked and he
nursed his plane back to base. He was awarded a second Croix de
Guerre.
Rockwell was promoted to Captain on January 31, 1918, two
weeks before the Escadrille passed out of existance. He had seven
unconfirmed enemy aircraft kills. After 20 years of various civilian
occupations, Rockwell returned to service in 1939 as a Colonel in the
USAAC, serving with distinction in many assignments
until his retirement from active duty in 1946.
