Military Family | In Honor
Our family, like so many others, has a proud history of serving our country, as well as helping others. From Private John Rockett, who entered the Revolutionary War in 1778 at age sixteen, to my son, Michael James Rockett, who entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1990 at age eighteen. My Grandfather, Corporal Julius Palmer Digh, served in the United States Army during World War I (Europe) along with his brother and was awarded the Purple Heart for taking a non-fatal bullet to the head.
Sadly, his son Webb Digh, a WWII B-17 Tailgunner, would be killed in action over Steyre, Austria on February 24, 1944 and declared MIA for some time. Webb's brother, Charles, who also served in a B-17 over Europe during WWII, made it home safe and sound! Julius' youngest son, LT. Col. Ned Palmer served in Korea as Company Commander 1st Cavalry, and in Vietnam, as district advisor in delta. He also served in 101st airborne at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and duty at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
My father, TSgt. James Theodore Rockett, served in the 295th Heavy Ordinance in WWII Europe, keeping General Patton's troops supplied with Arms and Ammunition. Pops died this year in Morganton, NC after a well-fought bout with Cancer.
Pictured here to the left in a Rickshaw is a young Doc Rockett. I served as a Navy Corpsman in DaNang during the Vietnam War. You can read about my service here.
Twenty-one year old SSgt. Webb J. Digh was Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner on this B-17's last flight. The plane was shot down over Steyre, Austria on February 24, 1944. It was over a year later that crew members verified that SSGT. Webb J. Digh went down with the plane along with three other crew members. The remaining crew were held as Prisoners of War by the Germans until that area was liberated. A News release was given detailing the return of Webb's body to his in family back in North Carolina.
SSGT. Webb J. Digh was honored on Veteran's Day, November 11th, 2001 by American Legion Post 299 and VFW 11546, Chino California, where he is the Post's POW/MIA/KIA. Webb served with the Army Air Corps (present day USAF) in the 49th AAF Bomb Squadron. SSGT. Digh's air crew wings are with me now, James Webb Rockett.
Some like SSGT. Webb Digh gave all they had when they gave their lives in the name of freedom. God Bless America, our Military, and our Veterans.
A quiet unsung "hero" and Vietnam survivor 1967-68, Rick Little was a U.S. Army helicopter Crew Chief with The Black Cats at Marble Mountain. We were the best of friends in high school and later betweem 1965 and 1972. Rick Little, Dixon Rupp, John Hunt, and I have the same tattoo (I need to get a picture up of it), which they got one night at the PIKE in Long Beach in 1965. For those of you who remember the PIKE, the PIKE is gone but the tattoo parlor still stands!
High School buddies, Rick and I were both stationed at Marble Mountain on each side of the highway. Everyday he flew into danger, whether it was med-evacuation or engaging the enemy with gunfire. Rick earned my respect and, surely the respect of all those who needed fire coverage from Rick's helicopter, while crawling through the bush or going through rice patties. My mother said "more prayers" for Rick than anyone!
The last time I saw Rick was over twenty years ago. He was a bank officer in Lancaster, CA, and I don't know where he is now. If you know Rick Little, please have him contact me.
Life in Danang: James "Doc" Rockett Thon My Thi village, located south of Danang near Marble Mountain, was part of the NSAH MEDCAP. Larger villages often had MEDCAP teams residing in their villages, but villagers of Thon My Thi were treated by NSAH.
Doc Hollywood: Star Power! Former "New Mickey Mouse Club" member, Allison Fonte, and I have been friends since her college years in Spain and at Stanford. Currently..
Harley Davidson: Live to Ride These are my Oregon Buddies, we meet occasionally up at different locations. We originally met at the famous Hollister Independence Rally, home of the filming of THE WILD ONE with Marlon Brando. Now they all have Harley Road Kings, a great cruising bike.
