Genesee County resident Jack F. Rolland entered active duty as a member of the U.S. Army on July 1, 1942. He trained at Camp Roberts, Calif., Camp McCall, North Carolina, and Fort Benning, Georgia. He originally underwent training as an anti-tank gunner and later graduated from Parachute School on Nov. 28,1942. After leaving jump school, he was assigned to Co. A. of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion. This unusual outfit was a non-divisional unit throughout the entire war and was attached to many famous divisions as the war went on.
Sgt. Rolland saw service in several countries. In the Italian campaign, he participated in the unit’s first combat jump in “Operation Dragoon,” which was the Allied invasion of southern France. The unit liberated many towns as it protected the right flank of the U.S. 7th Army in the French-Italian Alps. On Nov. 22, 1944, the battalion was attached to the 101st Airborne Division and was later summoned to help stem the German’s surprise Ardennes offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge. On Dec. 21, they entered the battle with a strength of more than 643 officers and enlisted men. They were the initial spearhead of the XVIII Airborne Corps counter offensive on the northern shoulder of the Bulge and saw considerable action. On Dec. 26, they reported to the 508th Parachute infantry regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and were chosen by Gen. James Gavin to attack the German-held village of Noirefontaine and bring back prisoners for interrogation. From Jan. 3-8, 1945, the unit assaulted the small hamlets of Mont de Fosse, St. Jacques and Dairomont. On Jan. 4, the battalion conducted a rare fixed bayonet attack of machine gun nests that killed 64 Germans.The fighting was very intense and the 551st suffered heavy casualties. On Jan. 7, they assaulted the village of Rochelinval without a preparatory artillery barrage. The Germans were waiting and, after heavy combat action, the 551st captured Rochelinval and eliminated the last German bridgehead for over 10 miles on the Salm River. The fighting left the 551st virtually decimated having suffered more than 85% casualties. Only 14 officers and 96 men remained, including Sgt. Jack Rolland. On January 27th 1945 the 551st’s remaining men were absorbed into the 82 Airborne division. Shortly after this, on Feb. 9, 1945, Sgt. Jack F. Rolland was killed in action near Bergstein Germany. It was a sad end for a soldier who fought through and survived so many deadly engagements.
For years, the 551st parachute infantry battalion was a little recognized unit that slipped through the pages of U.S. military history until it was finally given a Presidential Unit Citation in 2001 recognizing its accomplishments. U.S. Military historian Charles MacDonald called the unit’s battle to seize Rochelinval “the greatest battle ever fought by the United States Army. The 551st demonstrated the very best of the Army tradition of performance of duty in spite of great sacrifice and against all odds.”
Our museum is proud to have and display the Jack F. Rolland “killed in action” military collection. It is a fitting tribute to a very brave serviceman who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
Sgt. Rolland saw service in several countries. In the Italian campaign, he participated in the unit’s first combat jump in “Operation Dragoon,” which was the Allied invasion of southern France. The unit liberated many towns as it protected the right flank of the U.S. 7th Army in the French-Italian Alps. On Nov. 22, 1944, the battalion was attached to the 101st Airborne Division and was later summoned to help stem the German’s surprise Ardennes offensive known as the Battle of the Bulge. On Dec. 21, they entered the battle with a strength of more than 643 officers and enlisted men. They were the initial spearhead of the XVIII Airborne Corps counter offensive on the northern shoulder of the Bulge and saw considerable action. On Dec. 26, they reported to the 508th Parachute infantry regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and were chosen by Gen. James Gavin to attack the German-held village of Noirefontaine and bring back prisoners for interrogation. From Jan. 3-8, 1945, the unit assaulted the small hamlets of Mont de Fosse, St. Jacques and Dairomont. On Jan. 4, the battalion conducted a rare fixed bayonet attack of machine gun nests that killed 64 Germans.The fighting was very intense and the 551st suffered heavy casualties. On Jan. 7, they assaulted the village of Rochelinval without a preparatory artillery barrage. The Germans were waiting and, after heavy combat action, the 551st captured Rochelinval and eliminated the last German bridgehead for over 10 miles on the Salm River. The fighting left the 551st virtually decimated having suffered more than 85% casualties. Only 14 officers and 96 men remained, including Sgt. Jack Rolland. On January 27th 1945 the 551st’s remaining men were absorbed into the 82 Airborne division. Shortly after this, on Feb. 9, 1945, Sgt. Jack F. Rolland was killed in action near Bergstein Germany. It was a sad end for a soldier who fought through and survived so many deadly engagements.
For years, the 551st parachute infantry battalion was a little recognized unit that slipped through the pages of U.S. military history until it was finally given a Presidential Unit Citation in 2001 recognizing its accomplishments. U.S. Military historian Charles MacDonald called the unit’s battle to seize Rochelinval “the greatest battle ever fought by the United States Army. The 551st demonstrated the very best of the Army tradition of performance of duty in spite of great sacrifice and against all odds.”
Our museum is proud to have and display the Jack F. Rolland “killed in action” military collection. It is a fitting tribute to a very brave serviceman who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
