Kathleen Rockwell

 Kathleen Rockwell

(Lieutenant Kathleen Rockwell, 23, of Alexandria, Virginia, an Army Nurse, leans on the shoulder of her Husband, Lieutenant Richard Rockwell, 23, of New York City. Kathleen managed to get herself transferred here to be with her Husband, arriving last week in time to get a Field Hospital set up, only to discover that Richard was being sent back to the Front Lines at Cam Ranh Bay – September 13, 1965 Qui Nhon, South Vietnam.)

Kathleen Rockwell (nee Barclay) was born on July 16, 1942 in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, Canada.

Her Father was William Barclay and her Mother was Fleurette Barclay.

She had two Sisters: Marjorie and Diane.

Kathleen was the first in her Family to attend College.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University with a Nursing Degree.

While studying at Georgetown she joined the Army Nurse Corps.

Kathleen met Richard Rockweel during a 2½-month Officers’ Basic Orientation at Fort Sam Houston, Texas while in the Army Medical Service Corps.

On November 28,1964 they married in Arlington, Virginia.

They had four Children:  Carol, Richard Jr., Michael, and Christopher.

In June 1965 Richard was deployed to South Vietnam with the 1st Infantry Division.

Immediately, after learning where he was being stationed Kathleen volunteered to serve in South Vietnam (not mentioning her Husband was also going to be sent there.)

Kathleen served at the 85th Field Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon, South Vietnam (Present Day: Qui Nhon, Vietnam) during the Vietnam War.

Two months after being separated Kathleen and Richard were reunited in South Vietnam.

After arriving in Qui Nhon Kathleen learned that Richard was transferred to Cam Ranh Bay  -150 miles away.

Every two weeks, Richard travels north from Cam Ranh Bay to Qui Nhon on Medical Supply Runs.

She also served in the Gulf War.

After 3 Decades of both Active Duty and Reserve Duty she retired with the Rank of Colonel.

She spent 30 years teaching Nursing at Del Mar College.

Kathleen Rockwell died on December 19, 2024.

She was 82 years old.

Richard Rockwell is still alive.