Maurice Rose
Maurice Rose | |
|---|---|
Rose shortly after becoming commander of the 3rd Armored Division in the fall of 1944 | |
| Born | November 26, 1899 Middletown, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | March 30, 1945 (aged 45) Near Paderborn, Nazi Germany |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1916 (guard) 1917–1919 (active) 1920–1945 (active) |
| Rank | Major General |
| Service number | 0-8439 |
| Unit | Colorado Army National Guard Infantry Branch Cavalry Branch Armor Branch |
| Commands | 3rd Battalion, 13th Armored Regiment Combat Command A, 2nd Armored Division 3rd Armored Division |
| Battles / wars | World War I Occupation of the Rhineland World War II † |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (2) Purple Heart (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) Legion of Honor (France) Croix de Guerre (France) Croix de Guerre (Belgium) |
Maurice Rose (November 26, 1899 – March 30, 1945) was a career officer in the United States Army who attained the rank of major general. A veteran of World War I and World War II, Rose was commanding the 3rd Armored Division when he was killed in action in Germany during the closing days of the Second World War becoming the highest-ranking American killed by enemy fire during the war in Europe.
Rose was the son and grandson of rabbis from Poland, at the time of his death he was the highest-ranking Jewish person in the U.S. Army. He was not especially religious, did not publicize his faith, and claimed in his Army records to be Protestant. Rose was married twice and had two sons.
The 3rd Armored Division's official history of World War II memorialized Rose by stating "He was over six feet tall, erect, dark haired, and had finely chiseled features. He was firm and prompt of decision, brooking no interference by man, events or conditions in order to destroy the enemy."