Grave recordDirectly documented
Born
Richard’s grave marker records his birth on 16 January 1930.
← All family stories
Korean War · United States Army
Richard Rocco Sr.
Corporal
8th Army Ranger Company · 8213th Army Unit
1930–2002 · Korean War Ranger veteran
Grave marker of Corporal Richard Rocco Sr. · U.S. Army · Korea
His story
A life remembered beyond the service record.
Richard Rocco Sr. served in Korea with the 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company, remembered in his obituary as “The First Rangers in Korea.” After military service, he returned to civilian life in the Pittsburgh area and completed a lifelong career with the United States Postal Service. The obituary and surviving grave marker now preserve both his Ranger service and the family life that followed it.
Explore the archive
Related collections
Long-form sources are kept in separate reading rooms so Richard Rocco Sr.’s profile can remain a clear guide to his life, service, and surviving records.
At a glance
The known record.
Every statement is phrased according to the strength of the evidence currently held or identified.
- 01Born on 16 January 1930, according to his grave marker.
- 02Served as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War.
- 03Served with the 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company, identified in the obituary as “The First Rangers in Korea.”
- 04The company was also designated the 8213th Army Unit in records already identified by the archive.
- 05Retired after a lifelong career with the United States Postal Service.
- 06Lived in Dormont, Pennsylvania, and was the father of seven children.
- 07Died on 29 October 2002 at age seventy-two.
Operational timeline
Reconstructing the story, one record at a time.
Personal eventCompany eventDivision contextDirectly documented
Military serviceObituary and Ranger Memorial
Service with the 8th Army Ranger Company
Richard served in Korea with the 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company. His 2002 obituary described the unit as “The First Rangers in Korea,” while the National Ranger Memorial Foundation records his memorial stone under “8th Army Ranger Co.”
8213th Army Unit
Company records and rosters are being sought to document his exact service.
Civilian lifePublished obituary
A lifelong Postal Service career
His obituary records that Richard retired after a lifelong career with the United States Postal Service.
Death and burialObituary and grave marker
Death and grave marker
Richard died in Dormont at age seventy-two. His obituary states that services and interment were private; the surviving military grave marker records his rank, Army service, Korean War service, and dates. The cemetery has not yet been identified in the records attached to this archive.
Beyond the uniform
The person the family knew.
A military file can record a rank, unit, wound, or death—but not a laugh, a favorite story, an occupation, or the way a person was known at home. This section is reserved for photographs, letters, memories, and the details of Richard Rocco Sr.’s life outside his service.
Family & homeWork & interestsLetters & photographs
Documents & evidence
Building the paper trail.
Read the original records beside selected transcriptions, then follow their evidence directly into the timeline.
Document 01
Obituary of Richard Rocco Sr.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette · 31 October 2002 · page 20
The obituary confirms Richard’s service in Korea with the 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company, his lifelong Postal Service career, his residence in Dormont, and the family who survived him.
Selected transcription
ROCCO — RICHARD SR.
Of Dormont, age 72, on October 29, 2002; Mr. Rocco served in Korea with the 8th US Army Ranger Company ‘The First Rangers in Korea’ and retired after a lifelong career with the US Postal Service.
He is survived by his children Richard Rocco Jr., Catherine Sybil Donofrio, Sally Anne Rocco, Connie Marie Bernstein, Daniel Joseph Rocco, John David Rocco and Teresa Lynn Rocco; also eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; brother of Joseph Rocco; services and interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial donations be made to The American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Beinhauers.
What this establishes
- Richard died on 29 October 2002 at age seventy-two and lived in Dormont, Pennsylvania.
- He served in Korea with the 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company.
- The family remembered the unit as “The First Rangers in Korea.”
- He completed a lifelong career with the United States Postal Service.
- The obituary identifies seven children, eight grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and his brother Joseph.
Document 02
Military Grave Marker of Richard Rocco Sr.
Birth 16 January 1930 · death 29 October 2002
The military grave marker identifies Richard Rocco as a corporal in the U.S. Army who served in Korea and records his birth and death dates.
Selected transcription
RICHARD ROCCO
CPL
US ARMY
KOREA
JAN 16 1930
OCT 29 2002
What this establishes
- His rank was corporal.
- He served in the United States Army in connection with Korea.
- He was born on 16 January 1930 and died on 29 October 2002.
Further records
Still being sought
DOC 01
Known recordPittsburgh Post-Gazette obituary, 31 October 2002
Confirms his residence, death, 8th Army Ranger Company service, Postal Service career, and surviving family.
DOC 02
Known recordMilitary grave marker
Records Corporal, U.S. Army, Korea, 16 January 1930–29 October 2002. The cemetery location remains to be identified.
DOC 03
Known recordNational Ranger Memorial stone listing
Lists Ranger Richard Rocco, 8th Army Ranger Co., at section E, column 22.
DOC 04
Research leadRanger company rosters
A principal target for dates, assignments, and fellow Rangers.
DOC 05
Research leadPersonnel service record
Needed for a complete chronology and awards.
DOC 06
Family accountFamily photographs and accounts
Will connect the official record to the person the family knew.