Harry Lindsey, Sr. Brock
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Harry Lindsey Brock, Sr., served in World War II in the European Theater.
Mr. Brock joined the Army National Guard on November 10, 1938. He was assigned to the 125th Field Artillery of the 34th Infantry Division (“Red Bull” Division).
Mr. Brock was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and five overseas service bars.
One of Mr. Brock’s jobs overseas was to drive a motorcycle for the 125th Field Artillery. He also drove a jeep and a command car for Colonel Fritz Peterson. Col. Peterson was from Anoka, Minnesota.
Harry Brock was born to Josephine and William Brock in 1920. He attended Duluth (Minnesota) Denfeld High School.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s family’s account; veteran’s account (below)
“Harry drove a motorcycle for the 125th, also a jeep and command car for Colonel Fritz Peterson from Anoka, Minnesota.
“Harry said, ‘Saw Mussolini hanging in Italy with compadres.’”
Veteran’s account:
“I joined the Minnesota Army National Guard at age seventeen. We trained at the Duluth Armory on London Road. We were the 125th Field Artillery Regiment. From Duluth, we went to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. We drove there in a convoy. It took eight days. On December 7, 1941, I was at Camp Claiborne. We left Camp Claiborne after training and went to Fort Dix, New Jersey. From there to New York, where we left on ships for Belfast, Ireland.
“I was on the Princess Maude. Out on the ocean our ship broke down. The rest of the convoy left us except for one destroyer. He circled us and dropped depth charges, so no subs could attack us. We were in our stocking feet and had to be very quiet. From Ireland, we went to England, and from there to Tunisia.
“In Tunisia, we fought Rommel. After Africa, we went to Salerno, Italy, where we fought our way up Italy. I drove a command jeep for Colonel Fritz Peterson. After Col. Peterson, I drove for General Foster Tate. Gen. Tate’s driver was killed right next to me on his very first day of combat.
“When the war ended, I was in Como, Switzerland.”
