Captain Raymond Rokey
The Sabetha Herald
23 Dec 1942
page 1
In addition to the letters above, much appreciated greeting cards have been received from … Lt. Raymond Rokey of Camp Livingston, La.
The Sabetha Herald
3 Feb 1943
page 1
Service Men’s Addresses
Lt. Raymond Rokey, A.P.O. 23 Hdq Co 28th Div. Livingston, La.
Courier Tribune
2 Sep 1943
page 4
Raymond Rokey a Captain
Raymond Rokey, who is stationed at Camp Picket, Va. has been promoted from 1st lieutenant to captain. He entered the service from Manhattan State College about a year ago as a second lieutenant. Last spring he was made a lieutenant and now has been promoted to captain.
The Sabetha Herald
2 Feb 1944
Page 1
From Captain Raymond Rokey
Capt. Raymond Rokey writes from a New York overseas address, to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Rokey the following:
Today has been a wonderful day because I finally got some mail again. The first for some time.
The best news I could possibly get was that you are well and happy, waiting patiently as you must for us to return. Just when that will be is really not important. What is more importance is that that day will come eventually.
The British are not doing to badly by us. they still seem glad that we are here. We are all happy of the selection of “Ike” the Kansas Kid to leas us in the big show. We believe that he is the man to do the job. And don’t let anyone fool you into thinking it isn’t one big job. I don’t believe you folks back home really realize what it is actually going to cost. Don’t worry we’ll do it alright. We may have to kick from behind our goal line a time or two, but we have a pretty good kicker and eventually we will cross that midfield stripe, head for pay dirt, and go over with a BANG. It is a great game, it is getting a lot of press notices and the largest crowd ever will be waiting to hear the outcome. We won’t have many spectators due to transportation difficulties, but I’m positive the game will be just as well played in their absence.
Say if it wouldn’t be too much trouble you might send me a small package of popcorn. I’m hungry for some right now. these English people don’t know what it is, they sure don’t know what they are missing.
May 1944 give to us those things we have been working through 41, 42 and 43.
The Sabetha Herald
22 Nov 1944
page 1
Men in the Service
Capt. Ray Rokey Dies from Combat Wounds
Capt. Raymond Rokey, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Rokey of Sabetha, died November 6 as a result of wounds received in combat in the European Theater of Operations, November 5. It is indicated by telegrams from the War Department received by his parents here. The first telegram, telling of Capt. Rokey’s being wounded, was received here Saturday, November 18. The telegram reporting his death was received Monday, November 20. No details were given, the telegrams following the usual form in such cases. It is presumed that his fatal injuries were received in combat on or near German soil. His location in the current European campaigns was, of course, now known.
Though it is impossible to know what happened. Sabethans will agree that the finest of Sabetha’s fighting men are those who have been taken in this world conflict. Ray Rokey was an infantry officer. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in March, 1942, following an outstanding record of leadership as an ROTC cadet at Kansas State College, Manhattan. His activities in athletics, both high school and college, and in K State agriculture and social activities impressed all who knew him with the fact that he was modest as well as able. These characteristics, pre-requisites for the sort of leadership he exhibited in his army career, made his advancement certain, his contributions to the fight for freedom important.
His first station in the army was Camp Livingston, La. In August 1943, he was sent to Camp Picket, Va. It was at this time he received his promotion to Captain. He went overseas in September 1943.
His brother, Lt. Ned Rokey, is with a combat outfit also somewhere in the European Theater of Operations. Another brother, Harvey Rokey, lives at Corning. HE has two sisters, Mrs. John Zug of Salina and Mrs. Vernon Kaul of Sabetha. Pvt. Bert Rokey, somewhere in the southwest Pacific, and Cpl. Eldon Rokey, with a Military Police company int he European theater, are double cousins.
Capt. Ray Rokey’s death again brings home to Sabetha the hard realities of war. His sacrifice muse be an inspiration, lest his ideals and those of the town adn the nation be lost. How little anyone else can give in comparison!
The Sabetha Herald
29 Oct 1947
page 1
To Hold Military Funeral for Capt. Raymond Rokey
Accompanied by individual military escort, the remains of the late Capt. Raymond R. Rokey, which have arrived at the port of New York, will be delivered to the final destination in the near future, the American Graves Registration Distribution Center, Kansas City Quartermaster Depot, has informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oney S. Rokey of Sabetha.
When the remains of the deceased are ready to be forwarded to Sabetha from the distribution center at Fort Leavenworth, the Popkess Funeral Home, representing the family will be notified by telegram as to routing, scheduled time of arrival and name of the military escort. The military escort will be from the same branch of the service as the deceased and of comparable rank.
Military services will be conducted jointly by the Sabetha posts of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, under the command of Fred Dienstbier, V.F.W. commander.
The Sabetha Herald
19 Nov 1947
page 1
Services for Ray Rokey to Be Held Thursday
The remains of Capt. Raymond Rokey, who lost his life int he European theatre during the war, will arrive at the union Pacific station this Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by military escort, and will be escorted to the Popkess funeral home by members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Brief services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and the cortege will be escorted by members of the two veterans’ organizations the the cemetery, where graveside military rites will be conducted under command of Fred Dienstbier, V.F.W.
Ray Rokey was commanding officer of an infantry company int he ETO on Nov. 5, 1944, when his received wounds that resulted in his death two days later. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in March, 1942, following an outstanding record of leadership as an ROTC cadet at Kansas State College, Manhattan. HE was an excellent athlete both at Sabetha High School and at college, and was active in social, cultural, and scholastic pursuits. But Sabethans remember Ray particularly because he was friendly and modest — generous but fair — the sort of person who met his athletic opponents with all of his energies, but with sportsmanship.
He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Rokey. His brother, Ned, was also an office who saw combat duty in the ETO, and now is continuing his education at Kansas State College. Another brother, Harvey Rokey, lives south of Sabetha. Mrs. John Zug of Salina and Mrs. Vernon Kaul of Sabetha are sisters. Bert Rokey and Eldon Rokey of Sabetha are double cousins.
