PRIVATE ROSENDO DIAZ, U.S.

ARMY
MARCH 1, 1889 - FEBRUARY 5, 1918
World War I
th
Detachment 2, 90 Infantry Division, Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas
Killed in Action: Sinking of the HMS Tuscania between Scotlands Islay Isle and Irelands
Rathlin Island
No Picture
Available
for
Rosendo

Victory Medal

SS (Steam Ship) Tuscania

HMS (His Majestys Ship) Tuscania

Rosendo Diaz was born in Realitos, Texas. His father was Miguel Diaz and his mother was
Faustina (Gloria-maiden name) Diaz. His siblings were: Lazaro, Victoria, Crespian, Manuela,
Benita, Francisca and Paula Diaz. Rosendos wife was Rosenda Rivera Diaz and they had a
son Francisco Diaz.
Information from the military registration card dated 5 June 1917: Rosendo was drafted on
5 June 1917 at the age of 28. He was born March 1st, 1889 in Realitos, Texas and was a
naturalized born citizen. On his registration card He marked that he was a farmer and
worked for Robert Wilson on a farm in Jim Wells County. He also indicated that he had a
wife and one child and that his wife was of the Spanish-American race.
Rosendo reported for duty as a Private with the 165th Depot Brigade, 40th Company, Travis
Detachment #2, Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas. After training, the Detachment was sent
by rail to Hoboken, New Jersey. The unit boarded a steamer and crossed the Hudson toward
a Pier in New York. The Detachment was to board the HMS Tuscania at Pier 56. While in
port the Tuscania was painted an olive drab for camouflage. A special Rapid fire four-inch
gun was mounted at her stern.
The Tuscania ((http://www.islayinfo.com/loss-troopship-tuscania-islay.html) was manned by
British officers and 384 crew members. There were 2,013 American troops as passengers
aboard. Around 24 January 1918 with the destination being La Havre, France, the
Tuscania departed New York with a scheduled arrival date of March 24, 1918.
The ship steams for Halifax, Canada and on the morning of 26 January 1918 the HMS
Tuscania arrives in Halifax, the designated rendezvous, for this ship, joining ships from other
locations, to form a convoy. On 27 January 1918, Sunday, HMS Tuscania leaves the harbor
of Halifax with 2 other troopships, the HMS Baltic and the HMS Ceramic.
After twelve days at sea, 4 February 1918 while west of Ireland, the convoy is met by 8
British destroyers that came to escort them through the British Isles.
The next day on 5 February 1918, a German U-boat 77 (submarine) had come north after
operating off Berehaven to try her luck in the North Channel, and took up her position seven
miles north of the Rathlin Island Lighthouse, in which another submarine UB-97 happened to
be operating. The convoy had passed the Northern tip of Ireland, and was proceeding South
easterly of Ireland in the North English Channel. It is recorded that they were 30 miles from
land, the Scottish Coast on one side, the Irish Coast on the opposite side.
5:40 p.m.- With considerable difficulty Commander Meyer (UB-77) fires two 2,000 lbs
torpedoes (G7 type II, 280 kg. warhead) at what he perceived as the largest ship of this
convoy, the Tuscania, range 1300 yards. No alarm sounded from any one of the 15 lookouts
on the Tuscania. No one saw the wake of foam as the torpedo came towards the vessel.
5:41 p.m. - One torpedo passes harmlessly in front of the Tuscania. The second torpedo
slams into the side of the Tuscania's hull. Simultaneously the lights went out and a
deafening crash echoed and re-echoed through the ship. The torpedo struck squarely amid
ship on the starboard side (boiler room). A great hole was torn in the hull and all the
superstructure directly above was reduced to a mass of wreckage. Several lifeboats were
lost due to the explosion, which had thrown a sheet of flame and debris, two hundred feet in
the air. Fragments of Steel and wood were shot in all directions. Clouds of hissing steam
rose from the ship. From the moment of the explosion the ship began listing starboard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Tuscania_(1914)
10:00 p.m. Four hours after being struck, the Tuscania took her final plunge. With a
muffled explosion as the water reached her boilers, she gently slid; bow first, under the
surface. According to official reports from the British Navy, the Tuscania sank 7 miles north
of the Rathlin Ireland Lighthouse.

http://www.20thengineers.com/ww1-bn06.html
While the work of abandoning ship was in progress a number of trawlers and smaller fishing
boats helped in gathering the survivors. These together with the destroyers combed the
vicinity picking up men in lifeboats and rafts. Each bit of wreckage was closely scanned on
the possibility of there being someone clinging to it. In this way the majority of the living
was rescued. A few swimming alone and helpless were left. Darkness and the wide area the
rafts and boats were scattered made it impossible to find them all. Three lifeboats, each
more than filled with its complement of men, were overlooked. Among the first from the big
ship, they had drifted quite a distance before the rescue work had fairly commenced. With
no guidance and at the mercy of the wind and waves they drifted aimlessly for hours and
then were dashed upon the cliffs of the Isle of Islay, Scotland. Out of more than sixty men in
one of these boats but eight were saved. It was here that the greater part of our loss was
sustained.
The Tuscania was the first ship carrying American troops to be sunk, and public opinion in
the USA regarded its loss as an outrage. In 1920 (Pvt Diaz remains were returned 19
November 1920) the American Red Cross erected a monument on the Isle of Islay, where
many of the victims had been buried before their transfer that year to the American War
Cemetery at Brookwood (England) or to their homeland.
Some of the burial accounts as published in Scotland newspapers read:
"Oban, Argyllshire - Many sad scenes have been witnessed in Islay, but no one can
remember any tragedy of the sea which so deeply stirred the feeling of all as the internment
of the brave young men from America, who lost their lives when coming to fight for us. The
people of this district did all that was possible to render assistance in the sad work of
reverently disposing of the remains and showing all honor to the United States. Plain coffins
were made and a suitable piece of land for burial was given. All together 50 bodies came
ashore in Lochindaal. Some were temporarily placed in the church at Porthaven, others
housed at Port Charlotte and two at Bowmore."
"Port Ellen - The last week was one of mournful activity in this district. Civilians of all grades
took part in searching for bodies on shore, rock and islets, and aiding the survivors in
burying the dead. The first internment took place at Killeyan in a wild, romantic spot, known
locally as Portman Galon, and adjoining the Mull of Oa."
Owing to a shortage of wood to make coffins, many of the bodies were wrapped in canvas
and buried in tiers one on top of the other. This part of the coast is practically without trees.
The owner of one estate to make coffins for as many as possible ordered out his men to cut
down 25 trees, the only ones in many miles.
The newspaper El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas Wed, Feb 13, 1918-Page 1 and 2 reported that
164 Americans were laid to rest at different points on the Scottish coast. There were 131
identified and 33 unidentified soldiers. The unidentified soldiers were given a number and
noted with: unidentified private or unidentified soldier. Private Rosendo Diaz was one of
those soldiers buried as an unidentified private.

Left (picture) is a ceremony of the American Soldiers when they were first buried.

The El Paso Herald 30 March 1918, Sat. Page 11 reported that 25 Tuscania casualties had
been identified by fingerprints. One of those identified was Private Rosendo Diaz.
The San Antonio Express, San Antonio, Texas, Tuesday Morning, November 16, 1920
announced that 19 BODIES ARRIVE with another caption: Armed Escort Will Be Sent to
Former Home of Service Men. Listed in that announcement was Private Rosendo Diaz,
Casual Company, 165th Depot Brigade to Orange Grove, Texas.
The San Antonio Express, San Antonio, Texas, Friday Morning, November 19, 1920 noted:
TUSCANIA VICTIMS BODY ARRIVES. Special Correspondence to the Express. Orange Grove,
Tex.. Nov 19---The remains of Rosendo Diaz, who lost his life when the Tuscania went down,
off the coast of Ireland arrived here yesterday evening, and was laid to rest in the local
cemetery without ceremony. The remains were accompanied here by Private William H. Otto
from San Antonio. This is the second soldier who lost his life overseas and was returned here
for burial.

The Corpus Christi Caller, Corpus Christi, Texas, Friday, November 19, 1920 Noted: ORANGE
GROVE Special to the Caller Orange Grove, Texas, Nov. 18. The body of Private Rosendo
Diaz who was drowned when the Tuscania was torpedoed off the coast of Scotland Feb 5,
1918 was buried in the Orange Grove Cemetery Wednesday. Pvt Diaz who lost his wife after
joining the service left a seven year old son, besides several sisters, brothers and his aged
parents. He had lived near Orange Grove his life time, and was well known.
This American Hero, Private Rosendo Diaz was one of two local individuals (Guadalupe
Garza) that were killed aboard the HMS Tuscania. Theirs are the only names engraved on
the Memorial in front of the Guadalupe R. Ramirez American Legion Post #405, as World
War I Casualties from the Benavides, Texas area.
This Hero, Pvt Rosendo Diaz is buried in one of seven unmarked graves in the Orange Grove
Cemetery (AKA Pro-Union Cemetery), Orange Grove, TX. We continue to work with the
Cemetery association in Orange Grove to find the grave, if possible and initiate action to
obtain the proper Veterans Administration grave marker. The Orange Grove Museum will be
provided information to add Pvt Rosendo Diazs name to those WWI Veterans the museum
honors.
Rest in Peace, Sir wherever you are in that Cemetery. You are hard to find, but we are
getting close.
An American Hero, indeed. God Bless you Sir!
From an article written about a Tuscania Casualty (Newspaper Unknown)
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~carmita/Regiment/news/Travis_2.html
The sinking of the Tuscania is the first considerable loss that brings the war home to
America, but it thrills the American people to a new realization of the task confronting them
in helping to secure an ordered world
The men in the long graves gave their lives as simply and as gallantly for their flag, their
country and humanity, as if they had fallen, Veterans, on the firing lines. They showed their
spirit in their last moment living. Dead, they are not forgotten. Their valor and their
sacrifice will not be lost upon their countrymen.
-END OF TRIBUTE-

WHAT FOLLOWS IS INFORMATION (PICTURES, MAPS, AND NEWSPAPERS CLIPPINGS)

COMPILED FOR THIS TRIBUTE TO PVT ROSENDO DIAZ!

The Memorial in front of the Guadalupe R. Ramirez, American Legion Post #405,
Benavides, TX

The Memorial in front of the VFW Post 8931 in San Diego, TX also honors Pvt Rosendo Diaz

Rosendo Diaz-1 Registration Card Jun 8, 1917

Rosendo Diaz-2 Registrar's Report Jun 8, 1917

ROUTE TRAIN/SHIP FROM CAMP TRAVIS, TX TO IRELAND

HMS TUSCANIA IS TOPEDOED 5 FEB 1918 OF THE COASTS OF IRELAND/SCOTLAND. THE

DESTINATION WAS LA HAVRE, FRANCE

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?
page=gr&GSln=diaz&GSiman=1&GScid=2129129&GRid=153950696&

This article was provided by Omar Rivera to Amando Gonzalez

Orange Grove Cemetery- The first row left to right has seven unmarked graves; possibly one
of these is Pvt Rosendo Diazs grave. The last far right, front row grave-marker is his sister
Manuela Diaz.

The three cemeteries as laid out in Orange Grove, TX. The top is the Orange Grove
Cemetery; the red lines are where the seven unmarked graves are and the small yellow
square is where Pvt Diazs sister, Manuela Diaz grave marker is located.

This article provided by Omar Rivera, states that Francisco Diaz, the son of Pvt Rosendo Diaz
was declared as the first American orphan of World War 1.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1329106/the_tuscania/
The Wichita Beacon (Wichita, Kansas) 7 Feb 1918, Thu Page 1:

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3298355/no_panic_on_tuscania/
The Oregon Daily Journal (Portland, Oregon) Thu, Feb 7, 1918 Pg 1

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1329319/page_1_tuscania_dead_buried/
El Paso Herald (El Paso, Texas) 13 Feb 1918, Wed Page 1

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2186120/tuscania_diaz_and_garza_identified_by/

The Washington Post, 31 Mar 1918, Sun, Page 16

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1329686/bodies_exhumed/

El Paso Herald (El Paso, Texas) 26 Jun 1920, Sat Page 4

The Scottish clan, what an amazing people!

Francisco Diaz was the son of Rosendo and Rosenda Rivera Diaz. He is buried in the Benavides
Cemetery, Benavides, TX

Rosendo Diaz family. He was 20 in 1910.

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~carmita/Regiment/PassengerList.html
Provides information regarding the units (list of passengers) aboard the HMS Tuscania
The RED BOLD names are those that were Killed or Missing in Action when the Tuscania
was sunk
PRIVATES (DET 1, CAMP TRAVIS, TEXAS)
Marion Franklin
Lambert
Oliver Francis
Crump
William Francis
Mathis
Arthur Douglas
Hartline
Millard Finch
Boatwright
Alberto Diaz
Jacob Wister Martin
Rupert Abednego
Davis
Tolbert I. Landrum
Sidney E. Landrum
Lincoln Baker
Oscar Baker

Thomas W. Grohn

Jarvis Belew

Esteban P. Ledesma

John H. Golightly

James W. Abrams

Facundo Lucero

Roy French

Isaah D. Adams

G. Bodwell

Grover G. Bond

Jake Anthony

Justo Hernandez

W. L. Cook

Fred Arcenga

Miguel Hermandez
Charles Lemuel Davis

C. E. Copeland
P. Booker

Laurcis R. Armiga
Pedro Belton

Samuel A. Jones

B. F. Boyd

Edgar W. Balentine

James A. Ivey

E. Brand

Anson L. Bales

James T. Gore

Robert E. Bankhard

Thomas Luther Ball

Mark T. Gibson

Luther Lyles

Berdest Fancher

James G. Ford

Jasper Abile Kingham

Milton T. Blankenship

Louis T. Johnson

James M. Dickson

Bruno E. Bluhm

Walter Lee Massey

Carl L. Dismukes

Pablo Carralles

Daniel B. Knox

George W. Dunlap

John C. Cason

Lloyd H. Kilb

Robert L. Eastis

Walter R. Harvey

Thomas A. Johnson

R. B. Chamberliss

Bass L. Hawthorne

Rollin E. Dayton
Garland V. Howard

Benjamin Y. Brittian
Grover C. Edwards

Edgar L. Hamilton
Jose R. Cisneros

William E. Howell

Milton Brown

Miguel Mirtinez

Francis B. Hughes
John Fuller
Earl J. Graham

William N. Boyd
Lewis P. Carlyle
George R. Baker

Jesse Earl Lust

Wagmon G. Lansdoun
Sixto Flores KIA
Edgar Carl
Barnes KIA
Edward Charles
Feyrer KIA
Ben Barker KIA
Martin Columbus
Hill KIA
William F.
McMurray KIA
William Keown KIA
Frank Kossaeth KIA
Newman J. Galloway KIAFR
Homer Girtree
Harris KIA-FR
Benjamin
Birmingham KIA-FR
Samuel H. Eddins DOWFR

PRIVATES (DET 2, CAMP TRAVIS, TEXAS)

Victor Albert
Monnier
William Henry
Venable
Homer Austin
Perryman
Sidney Robert
Nall

Bobbie C. Ray

Albert Skolant

Arthur Straach KIA

Frederick Molina

Willie A. Sladek

Cirilo Rodriguez KIA

Joe Monroe

Horace W. Stewart

Angel Perez KIA

William Moreau

George E. Whiteacre

Juan A. Perez KIA

David Cisneros
Robert E. Lee
Hickey

Joseph G. McAdams

Albert Yarbouough

Lucio Ramos MIA

Thomas A. Coke

Newton W. Wiggington

Pedro Gonzales

William A. Worthen

Henry James Stolte

William E. Mann

Barney H. Ray

Librado Nevarro

Roy W. May KIA

Thomas E.
Hudgeons MIA
Guadalupe
Garza KIA

Harold G. Martin

Homer Eddie Vineyard

Hubert L. Qualls

Florencio Herras KIA

Pedro Lugan

John Weatherall

Gaber Santos

Ben V. Owens KIA

Margarito Macias

Lloyd Webb

Austin J. Sawyer

Lewis M. McCann
Frank C.
McCarthy

Alvey Parnell

John S. Cover

Rosendo Diaz KIA

George A.
Altwein KIA

Hugo Weinrich

Alvin Morgan

Joseph D. Walker

Juan Benevides

Jose Ybarra KIA

William R.
Wilson KIA

Edward Terrazos

Frank L. Childress

Otto Ray KIA

George E. Vaught

Jesus Guzman

Lewis Jordan
Jodel M.
Ferguson

Harvey C. Victory

Celestino Caldron

Walter Villines

Rufus Welch Taf

Burley Phillips
Christino
Rodriguez

Eugene Tomlinson

Theodore John Pollok

James C. Wood KIA

Walter L.
Whittington KIA
James F.
Sparkman KIA
Arthur Rudolph
Zybach KIA-FR

Samuel J. Tullos

Joe Lester Taylor

Mateo Rodriquez

Emil McWaters

George Moreno KIA

Marcus Pena KIA-FR

Wesley J. Stubbs KIAFR

Jake Rosman

Joseph Mynar

Patrick Henry White KIA

Roy M. White DOW-FR

Walter A. Ebel
Christopher
Clifton Evans
Mossman R.
Clark

Edward Franklin
Young KIA

John M. Rainer

Joseph Sanchez

Roy E. Rhoads

Troy W. Stone

Victor W. Roberts
James H.
Schneider

Roman Sandoval

Henry Grady Oxford KIA

Edward Lafayette
Routt KIA

Walter S. Shelton

Herbert D. Taylor

John R. Terry KIA-FR

Richard
Schulze KIA
Oscar Lee
Smith KIA
Elton Lee
Edmondson KIA

Charles
Pachero

The Heros that lost their lives during the sinking of the Tuscania and the hometown as reported by
newspapers in 1918. This list shows Texans that were assigned to Dets 1 & 2, Camp Travis, Texas.
LAST
ALTWEIN
BARKER
BARNES
DIAZ
EDMONDSON
FEYRER
FLORES

FIRST
George
Ben
Edgar
Rosendo
Elton
Edward
Sixto

GARZA
HERAS

Guadalupe
Florencio

HILL
HUDGEONS
KEOWN
MAY
McMURRAY
MORENO
OWENS
OXFORD
PEREZ
PEREZ
RAMOS
RAY
RODRIGUEZ
ROUTT
SCHULZE
SMITH
SPARKMAN
STRAACH
WHITE
WHITTINGTON
WILSON
WOOD
YBARRA
YOUNG

MIDDLE
A.
Carl
Lee
Charles

RANK
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt
Pvt

Columbu
s
E.

HOMETOWN
Temple, Texas
Fouselburg, Texas
Ranger, Texas
*Orange Grove, Texas
Strawn, Texas
Weiner, Texas
Alice, Texas
**Rio Grande City,
Texas
Alice, Texas

CASUALT
Y
KIA
KIA
KIA
KIA
KIA
KIA
KIA
KIA
KIA

Martin
Pvt
Wimburley, Texas
KIA
Thomas
Pvt
Halletsville, Texas
KIA
William
Pvt
Sand Spring, Texas
KIA
Roy
W.
Pvt
Lindale, Texas
KIA
William
F.
Pvt
Royse, Texas
KIA
George
Pvt
Pearsall, Texas
KIA
Ben
V.
Pvt
Canadian, Texas
KIA
Henry
Grady
Pvt
Turnerville, Texas
KIA
Angel
Pvt
San Antonio, Texas
KIA
Juan
A.
Pvt
Boerne, Texas
KIA
Lucio
Pvt
San Antonio, Texas
MIA
Otto
Pvt
Coleman, Texas
KIA
Cirilo
Pvt
Bergs Mill, Texas
KIA
Edward
Lafayette
Pvt
Pecan Gap, Texas
KIA
Richard
Pvt
Boerne, Texas
KIA
Oscar
Lee
Pvt
Winters, Texas
KIA
James
F.
Pvt
Frisco, Texas
KIA
Arthur
Pvt
Miles, Texas
KIA
Patrick
Henry
Pvt
Dallas, Texas
KIA
Walter
L.
Pvt
Sherman, Texas
KIA
William
R.
Pvt
Canton, Texas
KIA
James
C.
Pvt
Yantis, Texas
KIA
Jose
Pvt
Laredo, Texas
KIA
Edward
Franklin
Pvt
Gilmer, Texas
KIA
*Rosendo Diaz born in Realitos, Texas
**There were two Guadalupe Garza's that were drafted almost at the same time in
San Diego, Texas. One Guadalupe indicated that he was born in Benavides and the
other in Rio Grande City, TX. All the newspapers quoted that the one listed as KIA
was from Rio Grande City.