ROSE BARRACKS, Germany - Rose Barracks, part of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, was named after Maj. Gen. Maurice Rose for his outstanding service.
Rose lived from 1899 to 1945 and joined the army in 1916. He served as a commander of the 3rd Armored Division during World War II in Europe. To honor his service, the installation has borne his name since 1951. The military training area, formally known as Südlager, was established in 1907 by the Kingdom of Bavaria to train troops for the III Royal Bavarian Corps. Later in 1937, the Wehrmacht underwent a major expansion.
Maurice Rose came from a line of rabbis. His grandfather led a Jewish learning center in Poland, and his father served a congregation in Denver, Colorado. Despite his father and grandfather being Rabbis, Rose decided to pursue a career as a Soldier.
Since he was too young to join the Colorado National Guard after graduating high school, Rose lied about his age to enlist. At first, he succeeded. His superiors found out six weeks into his service, and they discharged him.
By the time the United States started fighting in World War I, Rose was able to enlist. He re-enlisted April 6, 1917 and became a second lieutenant in the 89th Infantry Division. During the war, he was wounded at Saint-Mihiel, France but left the hospital without authorization to rejoin his unit.
In World War II, Rose served as chief of staff for the 2nd Armored Division in North Africa, where he earned his first Silver Star. He was promoted to brigadier general, taking command of the 2nd Armored Division, and led his troops through the Sicilian campaign and into France after D-Day.
In August 1944, Rose became the commander of the 3rd Armored Division, soon earning a promotion to major general. Under his leadership, the division made significant advances across northern France and Belgium, becoming the first armored unit to enter Germany and breach the Siegfried Line Sept. 12, 1944. During the winter of 1944-45, Rose’s division played a pivotal role in curbing the German advance during the Battle of the Bulge. They captured Cologne March 7, 1945, demonstrating their tactical effectiveness. On March 29, the division achieved the longest one-day advance through enemy territory by any Allied division during the war, covering over 100 miles and halting just south of Paderborn. The following day, as they pressed forward towards Paderborn, Rose continued to lead from the front with his forward echelon.
Rose was killed in action March 30, 1945. Rose’s death was a significant loss for the U.S. Army, but his legacy endures, exemplifying his dedication to leading his troops and his strategic brilliance. Rose died as the then highest-ranking Jewish soldier in the U.S. military. Because he had listed “Protestant” in his records, his grave at Margraten in the Netherlands American Cemetery is marked by a cross rather than a star of David.
Since 1951, Rose has been honored by the naming of Rose Barracks, as a permanent reminder of his accomplishments.
For more information on Rose visit Major General Maurice Rose, One of World War II’s Greatest Combat Generals - Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (jwv.org)
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