Ronald C. Brock

Ronald C. Brock
1946 black and white head and shoulders photo of Brigadier General Ronald C. Brock
Brock as a brigadier general in 1946
Born(1895-06-25)25 June 1895
Coudersport, Pennsylvania, US
Died24 October 1984(1984-10-24) (aged 89)
Boca Raton, Florida, US
Buried
Boca Raton Municipal Cemetery and Mausoleum, Boca Raton, Florida, US
Service
United States Army
Service years
1917–1919, 1940–1946 (Army)
1917, 1921–1940, 1946–1959 (National Guard)
Rank
Major General (Army)
Lieutenant General (Retired list)
Service numberO242225
UnitUS Army Field Artillery Branch
CommandsBattery A, 106th Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Battalion, 106th Field Artillery Regiment
106th Field Artillery Regiment
52nd Field Artillery Brigade
106th Infantry Division Artillery
65th Infantry Division Artillery
27th Infantry Division
27th Armored Division
Adjutant General of New York
Conflicts
World War I
Occupation of the Rhineland
World War II
Allied-occupied Germany
AwardsLegion of Merit (2)
World War I Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
New York State Conspicuous Service Medal
Order of the Patriotic War (First Class) (Soviet Union)
EducationMansfield Normal School (attended)
United States Army Command and General Staff College
United States Army War College
Spouses
Mabel Ruth Beers
​
​
(m. 1917⁠–⁠1935)​

Josephine Darling Holbrook
​
​
(m. 1935⁠–⁠1962)​

Jane Weaver Koch
​
​
(m. 1963⁠–⁠1966)​

Rosemarie C. Hill
​
​
(m. 1967⁠–⁠1984)​
Other workArea director, New York State Division of Veterans' Services

Ronald C. Brock (25 June 1895 – 24 October 1984) was an American military officer from New York. He served in the United States Army for over 40 years, primarily as a member of the New York National Guard. Brock was a veteran of World War I and World War II and his command assignments included the 106th Field Artillery Regiment, 65th Infantry Division Artillery, 27th Infantry Division, and 27th Armored Division. From 1957 until his 1959 retirement Brock served as Adjutant General of New York. He attained the rank of major general during his career; he was later promoted to lieutenant general on New York's retired list as a commendation of his long service.

Brock was a native of Coudersport, Pennsylvania and was raised and educated in the Coudersport area. In 1916, he moved to Buffalo, New York, where he worked for his father's printing business and several other Buffalo companies while pursuing a military career. In 1917, he enlisted in New York National Guard's Battery B, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, which was federalized for World War I as the 106th Field Artillery. He was a sergeant at the end of the war. In 1921, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the reconstituted 106th Field Artillery and he advanced through the ranks to become the regimental executive officer.

At the start of World War II, Brock was assigned to command the regiment. He later commanded the 52nd Field Artillery Brigade, 106th Infantry Division Artillery, and 65th Infantry Division Artillery, and took part in combat in Europe. After the war, he commanded the 27th Infantry Division and 27th Armored Division. From 1957 to 1959, he served as adjutant general of New York.

Early life and civilian career

Ronald Cornelius Brock was born in Coudersport, Pennsylvania on 25 June 1895, a son of Claude Cornelius Brock and Anna Belle (Pitts) Brock.[1][2][3][a] He was educated in Coudersport and graduated from Elkland High School.[1] He attended Mansfield Normal School in Mansfield, Pennsylvania before moving to Buffalo, New York, where he was employed in his father's printing business, then at the Buffalo Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company factory.[1][6]

Following the First World War, Brock worked as a Pierce-Arrow purchasing agent, then went on to an accountant's position with the King Sewing Machine Company, followed by the general manager's position at the Ford Vending Machine Company.[1][7][8][9] From 1931 to 1935, Brock assisted in the management of his father's printing business.[1] In 1935, he was appointed general manager of New York's Temporary Emergency Relief Agency, a Great Depression office created to provide direct aid and jobs to destitute residents.[1]

In 1937, Brock joined the federal Works Progress Administration as supervisor of intake interviewers in the Buffalo area.[1] In 1939, Brock was promoted to WPA Buffalo area supervisor in charge of personnel intake and certification.[1] Following his Second World War service, Brock was appointed Buffalo area director for the New York State Division of Veterans' Services.[10]

Start of military career

In July 1917, Brock embarked on a military career when he enlisted as a private in the New York National Guard's Battery B, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment.[11] In October 1917, he was promoted to corporal and entered active duty for World War I as a member of the redesignated 106th Field Artillery Regiment.[11] He served with Battery B, 106th Field Artillery Regiment during organization and training at Camp Upton, New York, then served in combat in France beginning in June 1918.[11] He was promoted to sergeant soon after arriving in France, and was still serving with the 106th Field Artillery when the Armistice of November 11, 1918 ended the war.[11] Brock took part in the post-war Occupation of the Rhineland until returning to the United States in March 1919.[11] He was discharged from the military on 31 March.[11]

In April 1921, Brock returned to military service when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery.[12] Assigned to Battery F, 3rd Battalion of the reconstituted 106th Field Artillery Regiment, he was promoted to first lieutenant in November.[13] In May 1922, he was promoted to captain and assigned to command the 106th Artillery's Battery A, 1st Battalion.[14] In February 1927, he was promoted to major and assigned to command 3rd Battalion.[15][16] In June 1929, Brock was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assigned as the executive officer and second-in-command of the 106th Field Artillery.[17][18] Brock continued to serve as executive officer of the 106th until July 1940; following the death of the longtime regimental commander in June, Brock was promoted to colonel and appointed to the position.[19]

Continued military career

Brock as a colonel during World War II

In October 1940, Brock led the 106th Field Artillery Regiment to Fort McClellan after the 27th Infantry Division, including the 106th Field Artillery, was mobilized for a year of training in anticipation of U.S. entry into World War II.[20] Brock continued in command during the regiment's organization and training, including participation in Second United States Army maneuvers near Prescott, Arkansas during the summer of 1941.[21] In November 1941, Brock was assigned temporarily to command the 106th Field Artillery's higher headquarters, the 52nd Field Artillery Brigade.[22] In spring 1942, Brock continued in command of the 106th Field Artillery Regiment during its ongoing training at Fort Ord, California and subsequent deployment to Hawaii Territory.[23][24] In March 1943, Brock was promoted to brigadier general.[25][26]

After his promotion to the general officer ranks, Brock was assigned to command the 106th Infantry Division Artillery with Colonel Malin Craig Jr., son of former US Army Chief of Staff Malin Craig as executive officer and second in command.[27] The 106th Infantry Division was activated at Fort Jackson, South Carolina on 15 March 1943.[28] Brock led the division artillery during its organization and training until December 1943, when he was succeeded by Leo T. McMahon.[28] While his organizations underwent organization and training in the United States, the individual training Brock completed included United States Army Ordnance Corps weapons and vehicle maintenance courses at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Holabird, Maryland.[29] In addition, he completed a United States Army War College course for senior officers at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.[29]

Following his service with the 106th Infantry Division, Brock was assigned to command the 65th Infantry Division Artillery.[30] This organization organized and trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi from August 1943 to January 1945, when it arrived in France and entered combat in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.[31] Brock remained in command through the end of European combat in May 1945.[32] The 65th Division crossed the Danube near Regensburg, Germany on 26 April 1945 and seized the city the next day.[31] The division went on to seize Passau, Germany, crossed the Enns River on 4 May, and occupy Linz, Austria on 5 May.[31] When combat ended on 9 May, the 65th Division made contact with troops of the Soviet Union near Strengberg and Erlauf, Austria.[31] The 65th Infantry Division was inactivated in August, after which Brock took part in the post-war occupation in Wasserburg am Inn, Germany, where he interviewed German generals about their wartime experiences as part of a War Department Historical Commission initiative to document the war.[32] Brock returned to the United States in late 1945 and was discharged from active duty in February 1946.[33]

Later military career

After assisting in the reconstitution and reorganization of the National Guard after the war, in December 1946, Brock was assigned as assistant division commander of the 27th Infantry Division.[34] In June 1948, Brock was appointed to succeed Bernard W. Kearney as commander of the division, and he was promoted to major general in July.[33][35] In May 1950, Brock was one of three senior 27th Infantry Division leaders who completed the course for senior leaders at the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[36] In 1951, Brock was one of the general officers tasked with leading the reconstitution of the New York Guard; the volunteer organization was scheduled to be disbanded after World War II, but the start of the Korean War demonstrated a continued need.[37]

In 1955, Cold War requirements for more armor units to stop a potential Soviet invitation of Western Europe led to the reorganization of the 27th Infantry Division as the 27th Armored Division, and Brock was appointed to command the new unit.[38] In January 1957, Brock was appointed to succeed Karl F. Hausauer as adjutant general of New York.[39][b] He continued to serve in this position until retiring in July 1959; he was succeeded by Almerin C. O'Hara.[42] At his retirement, Brock was promoted to lieutenant general on the state's retired list; the appointment was confirmed by the state senate in February 1960.[42][43] Brock was a Shriner and a member of the Buffalo Drum Corps.[1] He was also a member of the American Legion.[1] After retiring, Brock continued to reside in the Buffalo area until 1975, when he moved to Boca Raton, Florida.[44] He died in Boca Raton on 29 October 1984.[44] He was buried at Boca Raton Municipal Cemetery and Mausoleum.[45] There is also a cenotaph in his name at the Williamsville Cemetery burial location of his wife Josephine in Williamsville, New York.[46][47]

Awards

Brock's federal awards included the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, World War I Victory Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.[48][49] His state awards included the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal and the first ever award of the 40-year New York State Long and Faithful Service Medal.[48] His foreign decorations included the Order of the Patriotic War (First Class) from the Soviet Union.[50]

First Legion of Merit citation

"For exceptional initiative, untiring energy and sound military judgment in welding together a well-ordered and smooth-functioning division artillery team. Under his superb leadership this command rendered valuable support to the assault units of this division both during the breaching of the Siegfried Line and the aggressive pursuit after the initial breakthrough."

From: January 10 to March 25, 1945. Unit: 65th Infantry Division Artillery.[32]

Family

During Brock's career, he resided at different times in Buffalo[51] and in several nearby towns, including Kenmore,[52] Tonawanda,[53] and Amherst.[48] In 1917, Brock married Mabel Ruth Beers; they divorced in 1935.[54][55][56] Later that year, he married Josephine Darling Holbrook; they were married until her death in 1962.[57][47] Brock married Jane Weaver Koch, the sister of US Representative James D. Weaver, in 1963 and they remained married until her death in 1966.[58][59] Brock married Rosemarie C. Hill in 1967 and they remained married until his death.[51][60]

Dates of rank

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Brock To Head 106th Artillery; Named Colonel". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 31 July 1940. pp. 1, 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Obituary, Claude C. Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 20 March 1957. p. Section III, Page 50 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "1900 United States Federal Census, Entry for Anna, Edna, and Ronald Brock". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 13 June 1900. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Elmwood Avenue Man In Field Artillery: Roland C. Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 1 May 1918. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "National Guard Orders". The New York Times. New York, New York. 30 June 1922. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "New York State Census, Entry for Ronald C. Brock". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1 June 1915. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Entry for Roland C. Brock". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1916. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "1920 United States Federal Census, Entry for Ronald C. Brock". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 16 January 1920. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "1930 United States Federal Census, Entry for Ronald C. Brock". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 23 April 1930. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Veterans-Affairs Director: Ronald C. Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 2 April 1946. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "New York Abstracts of National Guard Service in WWI, 1917-1919, Entry for Ronald C. Brock". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1919. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  12. ↑ National Guard Bureau (1 January 1954). Official National Guard Register (Army). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 126 – via Google Books.
  13. ↑ Militia Bureau, United States Department of War (1922). Official National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 177 – via Ancestry.com.
  14. ↑ "National Guard Orders". The New York Times. New York, New York. 30 June 1922. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "3 Here, One At Kenmore, Get O.R.C. Commissions". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 11 June 1927. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Buffalo Guardsmen On Pine Camp Range". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 28 August 1928. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Major Wins Promotion". Buffalo Courier-Express. Buffalo, New York. 26 June 1929. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Win Promotions In 106th". The Buffalo Evening Times. Buffalo, New York. 2 July 1929. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Brock To Head 106th Artillery; Named Colonel". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 31 July 1940. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "Staff of Mobilized Regiment". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 16 October 1940. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "N. Y. Soldiers Win Praise For Fighting In Arkansas". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 14 August 1941. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Brock Heads 52nd Artillery at McClellan". The Binghamton Press. Binghamton, New York. 15 November 1941. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Boys In California Surprised To Get Smokes From News". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 10 April 1942. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "To Dedicate Memorial On November 11". Kenmore Press. Kenmore, New York. 23 October 1947. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "96 Army Men Get promotions". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. Knoxville, Tennessee. United Press. 26 March 1943. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ↑ "What Our Boys Are Doing To Win The War". The Bristol Courier. Bristol, Pennsylvania. 8 June 1943. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ Fishburn, John Reed (26 November 2006). "Life on a farm in Butler County, Kentucky: An Infantry Soldiers Biography" (PDF). Indiana Military.org. Franklin, Indiana: Jim West. p. 19. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  28. 1 2 Scherer, Robert S. (May 2009). "Wereth 11 Unit Stated Incorrectly" (PDF). The Bulge Bugle. Arlington, Virginia: Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Inc. p. 5. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  29. 1 2 "Brigadier General Brock Command's 65th's Artillery". Hattiesburg American. Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 16 December 1943. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "65th Infantry Division". Sons of Liberty Museum.org. Irving, Texas: Sone of Liberty Museum. 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "Historical Overview of the 65th Infantry Division". 65th Div.com. Port Charlotte, Florida: 65th Infantry Division Association. 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  32. 1 2 3 Zavitz, Lance (27 October 1945). "Twice Decorated Brock Returns: 'Greatest Moment of War' Recalled". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. 1 2 3 National Guard Bureau (1951). Official National Guard Register (Army). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 119. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Brock, Hausauer Get Posts In 27th". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. United Press. 4 December 1946. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ "Gen. Kearney Quits Guard". Syracuse Herald-Journal. Syracuse, New York. Associated Press. 4 June 1948. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "Three National Guard Leaders". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 8 May 1950. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "State Guard Will Be Reactivated If Troops Are Called". Troy Times Record. Troy, New York. 19 February 1951. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ "27th Division to Hold Armored Drill". Buffalo Courier-Express. Buffalo, New York. 1 February 1955. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "Buffalo Area Retains State National Guard Command". Buffalo Courier-Express. Buffalo, New York. 1 January 1957. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ "Gen. K. F. Hausauer Is Made New York's First Chief of Staff". Binghamton Press. Binghamton, New York. Associated Press. 5 May 1949. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ Eisenstadt, Peter R. (2005). The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-8156-0808-0.
  42. 1 2 "Retired Officer Being Promoted". Rochester Times-Union. Rochester, New York. Associated Press. 26 June 1959. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ "Appointments Approved". Wellsville Daily Reporter. Wellsville, New York. Associated Press. 9 February 1960. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. 1 2 "Obituaries: Maj. Gen. Ronald C. Brock". Boca Raton News. Boca Raton, Florida. 30 October 1984. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ "Burials: Boca Raton Municipal Cemetery". Gen Soc of PBC.org. West Palm Beach, Florida: Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County. 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  46. ↑ "McKean County & Vicinity: Highest Ranking Officers". JFG Victory Verlag.com. Eldred, Pennsylvania: Joel Frampton Gilfert. 2026. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  47. 1 2 "Obituaries: Mrs. Ronald C. Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 23 June 1962. p. C-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. 1 2 3 May, Ed (27 June 1959). "Stirring Military Review Ends Petition Attacking 42-Year Career of Gen. Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ↑ "Ronald C. Brock, 88; retired major general in U.S. Army". Sun Sentinel. Deerfield Beach, Florida. 31 October 1984. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ Bell, Jack (16 June 1945). "Brock Decorated By Russian Officer". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. 1 2 "Lt. Gen. R.C. Brock Dies; Retired N.Y. Guard Chief". The Buffalo News. Buffalo, New York. 30 October 1984. p. D-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ↑ "Ronald C. Brock Nominated to Head Downtown Post". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 18 September 1930. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ↑ "Veteran-Affairs Director: Ronald C. Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 3 April 1946. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ "New York State Marriage Index, 1881-1967, Entry for Ronald C. Brock, Number 29402". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1917. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  55. ↑ "New York State Marriage Index, 1881-1967, Entry for Mabel R. Beers, Number 29402". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 1917. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  56. ↑ "Divorces, Separations: Mrs. Mabel Brock, Ronald Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 11 April 1935. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ↑ "Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1826-1943, Entry for Ronald C. Brock and Josephine D. Holbrook". Ancestry.com. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com, LLC. 7 August 1935. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  58. ↑ "Jane W. Koch, Gen. R. C. Brock Married In Erie". Tonawanda News. Tonawanda, New York. 1 July 1963. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ↑ "Obituary, Mrs. Ronald C. Brock". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 30 March 1966. p. 56 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. ↑ "Marriage Licenses: Ronald C. Brock and Rosemarie C. Hill". Niagara Falls Gazette. Niagara Falls, New York. 9 November 1967. p. 13 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  61. 1 2 3 4 Militia Bureau, United States Department of War (1927). Official National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 671 – via Ancestry.com.
  62. ↑ National Guard Bureau (1939). Official National Guard Register. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 868 – via Ancestry.com.
  63. ↑ National Guard Bureau (1943). Official National Guard Register. US Government Printing Office: US Government Printing Office. p. 148 – via Ancestry.com.
  64. ↑ "Chennault, Donovan Given Promotions; 1,000 Others Advanced". The Evening Star. Washington, DC. 25 March 1943. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. ↑ "Senate Confirms Two Appointments". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. 9 February 1960. p. Section II, Page 21 – via Newspapers.com.

Notes

  1. ↑ Brock's first name is given as "Roland" in some sources and "Ronald" in others.[4][5] Ronald is used most often.
  2. ↑ In most states, the head of the National Guard is the adjutant general; the title for New York's National Guard head was chief of staff to the governor beginning in 1950.[40] In 1988, the title was changed back to adjutant general.[41]
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