The Legend of Pattons Eagles Resides Here

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The Legend of Pattons Eagles Resides Here
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David M. Rocco, a 29-year veteran of the Alexandria Sheriffs Office, wears a glistening silver eagle pin on his sheriffs uniform that once belonged to one of the most famous generals ever to be a part of the U.S. Army, General George S. Patton Jr.

Promoted to undersheriff by Sheriff Dana Lawhorne in 2007, Rocco is second in command of the Sheriffs Office. His father, Domenic P. Rocco Jr., a retired brigadier general with the U.S. Army, presented him with a set of silver eagles to be worn on his uniform blouse as the undersheriff.  Those silver eagles have a storied history they were handmade especially for General George S. Patton Jr. Patton wore the silver eagles when he was a Colonel in the U.S. Army in the late 1930s. 

In 1968 at Fort Sill, OK, Undersheriff Roccos father, then a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, was presented with the set of silver eagles by his executive officer whose father was on General Pattons staff. The silver eagles were a family treasure but they wanted Rocco to wear the silver eagles when his was promoted to Colonel.  Colonel Rocco did indeed wear the eagles for five years, after which time, he was promoted to brigadier general. Brigadier General Rocco retired from the U.S. Army in 1990.  His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and numerous other U.S. and foreign decorations and awards.

Undersheriff Rocco wears General Pattons handmade silver eagles on his Alexandria Sheriffs Office dress uniform blouse just like his dad wore them with his dress U.S. Army uniform.  The proud tradition of silver eagles continue, seeing yet another Veterans Day.

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