Helpful Information​
New Sign
Dr. John
Rosentrater
If you have information about this person that is not listed, you may submit it in the forms at the bottom of this page. We accept family tree information, obituaries, photos, stories, condolences, and more. Thank you for helping us keep their memory alive!
Birth: 5/18/1890
Death: 6/7/1966
Plot Location
Stories & Condolences
"Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln Nebraska, has established the "John Rosentrater Act of Valor Award" to honor Nebraska Wesleyan graduates "whose heroic service falls beyond the call of duty." This year, Nebraska Wesleyan recognized Lt. Col. Bob Johnson ('60) USMC, Ret. for his 20+ years of service to his country. Col. Johnson is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart (Vietnam) Navy Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. This award was given on 9/28/17." - Ernest Wilkens
"While in Europe, Dr. Rosentrater served in the 32nd Infantry Division; a division made up of men mostly from states other then Nebraska. Rosentrater received his decorations for actions that took place in "no-mans' land. He and a small group of US soldiers volunteered to go after a sniper who was picking off American soldiers. They found themselves surrounded by Germans and behind enemy lines. While in this situation Rosentrater and his men captured 30 German Soldiers and returned to their own lines. He was later wounded in the head. Rosentrater spent five months in various hospitals before returning to the States. He was later nominated for the Medal of Honor but without an officer as a witness the nomination was never moved forward." - Ernest Wilkens
"According to a newspaper article in the Lincoln Star; Lincoln Nebraska, 9 June 1966 of reporting his death. The article states that Dr. Rosentrater was a World War I hero who captured 30 German soldiers singlehandedly during World War I. No commissioned officers saw him perform the feat, however, so he did not receive decoration. It remained so until 1964, when a newspaper article telling his story stirred reaction in Washington, and he was belatedly (1964) presented with three Bronze Stars. He was also the recipient of the Purple Heart with an oak leave cluster. Dr. Rosentrater, a long time professor of philosophy at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln Nebraska, received his decorations for actions during combat during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in the call of 1918. Dr. Rosentrater served in Company B, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. He retired in 1960 and built a house in Broken Bow, Nebraska." - Ernest Wilkens