Date of birth:

December 4th, 1921 (Riverton, United States)

Date of death:

April 12th, 1945 (Eisenach, Luxemburg)

Buried on:

Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial
Plot: N. Row: 10. Grave: 16.

Nationality:

American

Joseph Roseberry was born in Riverton, Illinois, USA in 1921. His parents were Hesse Earl and Lulu Roseberry; he had two brothers, Bobie and Raymond and a sister named Rosemary. His father worked in Riverton as a blacksmith and his mother was a housewife. After graduation from Springfield College, Joseph Roseberry enlisted in the Army on September 18th, 1942 as a Staff Sergeant. Initially he was assigned to 865th Bombardier Training Squadron at San Angelo AFB, Texas, and later transferred to Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to attend a Pilot Training Course. After graduation he was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 901st Field Artillery Battalion, Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
On July 30th, 1944, he accepted a commission as Second Lieutenant. On March 1st, 1945, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.
Roseberry was assigned to 901st Field Artillery Battalion as a Staff Sergeant and as a pilot of an Stinson-L5 observation plane. On January 10th, 1945 he arrived in Europe.
Roseberry’s job as a L5 pilot was to spot enemy troop movements. One day, his radio malfunctioned. He could still send messages but couldn’t receive any.
901st FAB was stuck down and Major Mckee of 901st FAB didn’t see any movements and targets of the enemy anymore. He called Lieutenant Roseberry. He asked if Roseberry would pilot his plane together with him, to spot the frontlines of the enemy. Roseberry said OK and they took off that same day. Somewhat later, the ground troops of 901st FAB received a message saying they had spotted an armoured train. That was last message they received from Lt. Roseberry and Major McKee. Later that day, 901st FAB received a message telling them that Lt. Roseberry and Major Mckee had been shot down by the guns on the train they had spotted. It is unknown if they themselves were hit, but the plane crashed and hit a stone mile marker along the road. A veteran saw their bodies before grave registration took them away. He believed Lt. Roseberry was alive when they hit the stone marker, because he apparently tried to land on the road but the plane would not respond.
Lt. Joseph Roseberry was killed in action April 12th, 1945.
Lt Roseberry was awarded several awards for outstanding bravery. He received the Air Medal and the Silver Star for a flight under heavy fire when he dropped food, medical equipment and plasma to the ground troops. These awards were awarded posthumously and he was also awarded a posthumous Purple Heart.
Army Service Number: O-557783.

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