Prior to the war, Max attended Springport High School, where he was a talented athlete. He played basketball, football, and baseball. Max was so gifted at baseball that he auditioned to play as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and received a call back. Max originally attempted to join the Marine Corps but was rejected due to having a flat foot. When he seventeen-years-old, Max joined the Army Air Corps after convincing his mother to sign the consent papers since he was still a minor.
Max served as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner in the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bombardment Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the Sam Peak crew and trained with his crew members at Alexandria Air Base (Alex) in Alexandria, Louisiana, prior to going overseas in late March 1944.
On 22 June 1944, B-17 #4297084 “Spare Charlie” took off from Ridgewell Air Field, England, on a bombing mission over Abbeville, France. “Spare Charlie” was shot in the #2 and #3 engines right after its bombs were dropped and crashed in Les Marais d’Épagnette (The Marsh of Épagnette).
Max was “Killed In Action” in this crash. Four days later, on 26 June, French citizens buried Max and five of his crew members in the Mareuil-Caubert Cemetery. On 14 April 1949, Sgt. Rockey was permanently buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.
He was awarded the Purple Heart and an Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Service # 36417125
Airmen who perished on B-17 #4297084 “Spare Charlie”:
Peak, Samuel L - 1st Lt, Pilot, TX
Petroski, Robert F - 1st Lt, Co-Pilot, MI
Lundberg, John K - 2nd Lt, Navigator, UT
Osterberg, Allen - 2nd Lt, Bombardier, MI
Simmons, Murl F - S/Sgt, Engineer, NY
Welke, Frank A, Jr - S/Sgt, Radio Operator, NY
Scharff, Robert F-S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, NY
Simmons, Murl - S/Sgt, Engineer, NY
Airman who survived on B-17 #4297084 “Spare Charlie”:
Oberlin, Richard D - S/Sgt, Waist Gunner, OH
Bio and Crew Report by:
Camille Noel
Prior to the war, Max attended Springport High School, where he was a talented athlete. He played basketball, football, and baseball. Max was so gifted at baseball that he auditioned to play as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and received a call back. Max originally attempted to join the Marine Corps but was rejected due to having a flat foot. When he seventeen-years-old, Max joined the Army Air Corps after convincing his mother to sign the consent papers since he was still a minor.
Max served as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner in the 534th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bombardment Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the Sam Peak crew and trained with his crew members at Alexandria Air Base (Alex) in Alexandria, Louisiana, prior to going overseas in late March 1944.
On 22 June 1944, B-17 #4297084 “Spare Charlie” took off from Ridgewell Air Field, England, on a bombing mission over Abbeville, France. “Spare Charlie” was shot in the #2 and #3 engines right after its bombs were dropped and crashed in Les Marais d’Épagnette (The Marsh of Épagnette).
Max was “Killed In Action” in this crash. Four days later, on 26 June, French citizens buried Max and five of his crew members in the Mareuil-Caubert Cemetery. On 14 April 1949, Sgt. Rockey was permanently buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.
He was awarded the Purple Heart and an Air Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters.
Service # 36417125
Airmen who perished on B-17 #4297084 “Spare Charlie”:
Peak, Samuel L - 1st Lt, Pilot, TX
Petroski, Robert F - 1st Lt, Co-Pilot, MI
Lundberg, John K - 2nd Lt, Navigator, UT
Osterberg, Allen - 2nd Lt, Bombardier, MI
Simmons, Murl F - S/Sgt, Engineer, NY
Welke, Frank A, Jr - S/Sgt, Radio Operator, NY
Scharff, Robert F-S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, NY
Simmons, Murl - S/Sgt, Engineer, NY
Airman who survived on B-17 #4297084 “Spare Charlie”:
Oberlin, Richard D - S/Sgt, Waist Gunner, OH
Bio and Crew Report by:
Camille Noel
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Michigan.
Family Members
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Kenneth Paul Rockey
1907–1994
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Ralph LeRoy Rockey
1909–1972
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Herman Dale Rockey
1911–1969
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Glen Delbert Rockey
1912–1940
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Thelma Inez Rockey Thompson
1916–2001
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Vida Mae Rockey Rathburn
1918–2000
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Cleo Bernice Rockey Watkins
1919–1961
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PFC Victor Charles Rockey
1922–1985
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Jeanette Virene Rockey Shepherd
1925–1989
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Zella Jean Rockey Miller
1927–2020
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Betty Jane Rockey Jacobs
1929–2021
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Arlen Don "Don" Rockey
1932–2017
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