The 382nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army was a reserve regiment and was called up during World War II in August of 1942 at Camp Adair, Oregon. They joined the 96th Infantry Division and first did some training in Hawaii. They fought in the Leyte Campaign from October to December in 1944 and the Battle of Okinawa from April to June in 1945. In July, they went to the Philippines for training and were there when the war with Japan ended on August 15, 1945. They inactivated on February 3, 1946 at Camp Anza in California. The 96th Infantry Division received one Presidential Unit Citation.

Green County soldier John F. Roderick served with Company F of the 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War II.

John Frederick Roderick was born on August 3, 1922 in Green County, Wisconsin to Claude Andrew and Agnes (Collins) Roderick.

From the 1930 and 1940 U.S. Census records, the Roderick family lived in Monroe in Green County. They family owned their home. The household included father Claude, mother Agnes, and sons Collins, Robert, and John. Father Claude was the owner of a garage in 1930.

From the 1940 U.S. Census, father Claude was a salesman for a lumber company. Son Collins worked at an oil station. 

On June 30, 1942, John F. Roderick registered for the WWII Draft. He was employed at Wisconsin Power and Light Company in Madison. He lived at home in Monroe, and his mother was his next of kin.

Roderick enlisted for service on March 10, 1943 in Milwaukee.

From the March 14, 1943 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Green County Sends Group Soon,” the article stated “The following Green county volunteers and draftees who took final examination in Milwaukee on Wednesday are scheduled to entrain for Camp Grant, Ill., Wednesday.” The list of selectees included John F. Roderick.

From the December 14, 1944 The Capital Times article titled “Monroe Soldier Is Killed on Leyte,” the article stated “Pfc. John F. Roderick, 22, was killed in action on Leyte, according to a telegram received Wednesday by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claude A. Roderick.

He is believed to be the first Monroe serviceman to die in invasion of the Philippines.

In service since March, 1943, Pfc. Roderick had been overseas since July.

Born here Aug. 3, 1922, he was the son of Claude A. Roderick and the former Agness (sic) Collins of Green county. Before entering service he was employed by the Wisconsin Power & Light Co. here and in Madison.

Surviving besides his parents are two brothers, both in service. Corp. Collins G. with the medical corps in France, and S/Sgt. Robert G., with the quartermaster corps, Chicago.”

Father Claude Roderick died in 1945.

From the August 14, 1948 The Capital Times article “Return War Dead Bodies,” the article stated “The bodies of four Madison men and 13 from the area are being returned to the United States from the Pacific area aboard the U. S. army transport Dalton Victory, the department of the army announced today.

Arrival of the vessel will be announced by the San Francisco port of embarkation…” Included on this ship was Pfc. John F. Roderick being returned to his mother Agnes E. Roderick of Monroe.

From the September 2, 1948 The Capital Times article titled “John Roderick Services Are Held at Brodhead,” the article from Monroe stated “Re-burial services for Pfc. John F. Roderick, 22, who was killed in action on Leyte Nov. 5, 1944, were to be held at the grave in Greenwood cemetery, Brodhead...

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Claude Roderick, Monroe; and two brothers, Collins, Madison, and Robert, Green Bay.”

Private First Class Roderick was repatriated and reburied in Greenwood Cemetery in Brodhead, Rock County, Wisconsin. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.

Thank you, Private First Class John Frederick Roderick, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.