Vernon L. Bock

World War II

Vernon Bock was born on October 17, 1918, at Templeton to Cornelius and Mayme (Heithoff) Bock. Cornelius Bock had moved to Templeton with his family in 1900. Aside from a year in Texas, Cornelius lived in Templeton until his marriage to Mayme Heithoff in 1917. The couple moved to Nebraska shortly after Vernon was born. The family farmed in Nebraska until 1939 when they moved to a farm south of Glidden.

Vernon registered for the military draft on October 16, 1940. He indicated he was employed by his father on the farm near Glidden. On February 1, 1942, Vernon was inducted into the US Army at Fort Des Moines, IA. He was assigned serial number 37112420. He was then sent for basic training to Camp Wolters, an infantry training base in north-central Texas.

On June 3, 1942, he was assigned to the Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division. He was sent to Camp Luis Obispo, CA where his regiment underwent intensive training as a motorized unit. The focus of their training was to oppose German forces in North Africa and maneuvers were conducted in the Mojave Desert. Vernon was promoted to PFC (private first class) during this time.

On June 7, 1942, the Japanese had invaded the Alaskan island of Attu in the Aleutian Island chain. Attu, and another Aleutian Island, were the only two places where the Japanese occupied American soil during World War II. Attu is approximately 20 miles by 35 miles and sits 1,500 miles west of Anchorage, AK. Its terrain is rugged with numerous mountains and cliffs.

By early 1943, the 32nd Regiment changed from preparing for desert warfare to focusing on amphibious landings. On January 25, 1943, they moved to Fort Ord, CA for this training. On February 15, Vernon was promoted to Corporal. In late April, 1943, the 7th Division was moved to San Francisco and sailed west. After leaving port, the troops were informed their destination was Attu.

The task force reached Cold Bay, AK on April 30, 1943, and, after a weather delay, invaded Attu on May 11 at Massacre Bay. The weather was not cooperative and much snow cover remained. The Japanese were well-intrenched and held the high ground. Intense fighting continued for the next couple of weeks.

By May 28, 1943, the Japanese occupying force had been reduced to about 700 soldiers and they were trapped on all sides near Chichagof Harbor. With food and ammunition running low and surrender not an option for the Japanese, their commander ordered a banzai attack in the early morning hours of May 29. The attack caught the Americans by surprise and casualties were high. Vernon was among those killed in this action. He was 24 years old.

In the end, the banzai attack failed and all the Japanese soldiers were either killed or committed suicide. May 29 marked the end of fighting on Attu.

A funeral service for Vernon was held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Scranton on June 24, 1943, with another service in October, 1948 when his body was reburied in Templeton. His brother Donald was killed in action on August 10, 1944 in Albania. Cornelius and Mayme Bock retired to Templeton in the early 1950’s and lived the remainder of their lives there.