George Lincoln Rockwell: Difference between revisions
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'''George Lincoln Rockwell''' (March 9, 1918 – August 25, 1967) was a United States Navy Commander, War hero, genius, [[philosopher]], and founder of the [[American Nazi Party]]. He was the first in the postwar period in [[America]] to prominently use [[National Socialist]] [[symbolism]]. His beliefs and writings have continued to be influential among [[people]], particularly in America. | |||
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'''George Lincoln Rockwell''' (9 | |||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Rockwell was born in Bloomington, Illinois, the oldest of three children which included a sister and one a brother, Robert K. Rockwell. His father, George Lovejoy "Doc" Rockwell, was of English and Scottish descent, and his mother, Claire Schade Rockwell´s was German and French. Both parents were vaudeville comedians and actors. Some of his father's | Rockwell was born in Bloomington, Illinois, the oldest of three children which included a sister and one a brother, Robert K. Rockwell. His father, George Lovejoy "Doc" Rockwell, was of English and Scottish descent, and his mother, Claire Schade Rockwell´s was [[German]] and [[French]]. Both parents were vaudeville comedians and actors. Some of his father's acquaintances included Fred Allen, Benny Goodman, Walter Winchell, Jack Benny, and Groucho Marx. Rockwell later claimed he acquired his public speaking skills due to his upbringing. His parents were divorced when Rockwell was six, and this led to him spending his youth partly with his mother's family in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and partly with his father's family in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Here, he developed a [[passion]] for sailing and fishing. | ||
Rockwell attended Atlantic City High School in | Rockwell attended Atlantic City High School in New Jersey for four years. He failed to graduate in his senior year at Atlantic City High; it was due to a serious conflict with one of his teachers, who apparently went out of his way to throw roadblocks at the teenage Rockwell at every opportunity. He finally graduated from a high school the following year in Providence, Rhode Island. | ||
Rockwell applied to | Rockwell applied to Harvard, was accepted, but failed to get in since his school records from Atlantic City were (on purpose, see above) never received at the university. He had another 'free year' and his father decided to send his son to a boarding school, Hebron Academy, near Lewiston, Maine. While at the academy, Rockwell had something of an intellectual transformation. Here, for the first [[time]] he began to read [[philosophy]] and socially significant novels. He was impressed with the [[logic]] of [[Schopenhauer]] but disturbed by such novels as Sinclair Lewis' ''Arrowsmith''. Rockwell concluded these novels led people by emotion and not [[reason]]. At the time he did not fully understand the impact of such novels but would later correctly identify them as [[left-wing]] and [[communist]] [[propaganda]]. <ref>''This Time the World'' Chapter III</ref> | ||
He also began to re-examine the topic of religion. Previously, he had thought of himself as being highly religious, but after rereading the [[Bible]], he declared himself to be an atheist. Later, he began to see religion not as an opiate of the masses, but as a necessary pillar of civilization. He contemplated the possibility of a "total intelligence" existing somewhere in the universe | He also began to re-examine the topic of [[religion]]. Previously, he had [[thought]] of himself as being highly [[religious]], but after rereading the [[Bible]], he mistakenly declared himself to be an [[atheist]], incorrectly believing such action to be "intellectual". Later, he began to see religion not as an opiate of the masses, as [[Marxism]] insists, but instead as a necessary pillar of [[civilization]]. He contemplated the possibility of a "[[God|total intelligence]]" existing somewhere in the universe and thought that a better description of his views was [[agnosticism|agnostic]]. Later, he would promote [[Christian Identity]]. | ||
In 1938, Rockwell entered Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and majored in philosophy. In his sociology courses at Brown, Rockwell rejected [[equality]] and the idea that man was made by his environment or that all human beings had the same potential in life. Among his fellow students, he discussed ideas and argued in endless | In 1938, Rockwell entered Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and majored in [[philosophy]]. In his sociology courses at Brown, Rockwell rejected [[equality]] and the [[idea]] that man was made by his environment or that all human beings had the same potential in life. Among his fellow students, he discussed ideas and argued in endless bull sessions, particularly over topics such as [[social]] themes in popular novels. He began to realize he was taking the '[[conservative]]' position in nearly every argument against his '[[liberal]]' opponents. At Brown he learned the art of controversy and the tactics of [[debate]]. | ||
==Military service and marriages== | ==Military service and marriages== | ||
In his sophomore year, Rockwell was convinced that it was only a [[matter]] of time until [[America]] would be at war with [[Germany]]. He decided to leave Brown University to join the Navy. Rockwell appreciated the order and [[discipline]] of the navy, and in 1941 he attended flight schools in Massachusetts and Florida. After getting his flight wings, he was shipped to Norfolk, Virginia. | |||
In his sophomore year, Rockwell was convinced that it was only a matter of time until | |||
While in transit on the USS Pastores, Rockwell had to put down a race riot between White southerners and Blacks who were placed in the same sleeping quarters. The solution Rockwell and the other officers used to stop the rioting was to separate the two groups. Due to a coin toss, Rockwell ended up leading the Black sailors while another officer took charge of the White southerners. | While in transit on the USS Pastores, Rockwell had to put down a [[race]] riot between [[White]] southerners and Blacks who were placed in the same sleeping quarters. The solution Rockwell and the other officers used to stop the rioting was to separate the two groups. Due to a coin toss, Rockwell ended up leading the Black sailors while another officer took charge of the White southerners. | ||
During the war, Blacks were segregated in the navy, and Rockwell was not hostile toward them. Rockwell later called for a total separation of [[Blacks]] and [[Whites]] as a solution to America's race relations problems. He wanted to enact a program of repatriation of Blacks to [[Africa]]. When the United States armed forces were integrated in 1948, Rockwell predicted a drop of morale among American servicemen. | During the war, Blacks were segregated in the navy, and Rockwell was not hostile toward them. Rockwell later called for a total separation of [[Black people|Blacks]] and [[White people|Whites]] as a solution to America's [[race relations]] problems. He wanted to enact a program of [[repatriation]] of Blacks to [[Africa]]. When the United States armed forces were integrated in 1948, Rockwell predicted a drop of morale among [[American]] servicemen, which came true. | ||
Rockwell served in the South Atlantic aboard the USS Omaha looking for enemy | Rockwell served in the South Atlantic aboard the USS Omaha looking for enemy subs. Rockwell flew old Curtiss biplanes which were launched by aircraft catapults from the Omaha. Off the coast of Africa, Rockwell helped in the sinking of two [[Italian]] subs when he was part of a carrier killer group. | ||
On April 24, 1943, Rockwell married Judy Aultman, whom he had met while attending Brown University. Aultman was a student at Pembroke College, which was the female half of Brown University. After his marriage, Rockwell studied at the navy's aerial photography school in Florida. Upon completing his training, he served in the Pacific. His most notable action was the coordinating of air support in the retaking of Guam. | On April 24, 1943, Rockwell married Judy Aultman, whom he had met while attending Brown University. Aultman was a student at Pembroke College, which was the female half of Brown University. After his marriage, Rockwell studied at the navy's aerial photography school in Florida. Upon completing his training, he served in the Pacific. His most notable action was the coordinating of air support in the retaking of Guam. | ||
In 1952, Rockwell was ordered to report to Norfolk, Virginia. Upon arrival, he | In 1952, Rockwell was ordered to report to Norfolk, Virginia. Upon arrival, he was told that his next post would be Iceland. Since families were not permitted to be with Americans stationed in that country, his wife and children moved in with her mother in Barrington, Rhode Island. After a few months in Iceland, Rockwell returned to his family in Rhode Island. A short time later, Rockwell and his wife were divorced. After several months after his return to Iceland, Rockwell attended a diplomatic party in Reykjavík, Iceland's capital. At the party, Rockwell met [[Thora Hallgrimsson]], who later became his wife. They were married on October 3, 1953, in the Icelandic National Cathedral by Thora's uncle, who was the Bishop of Iceland. The couple honeymooned in Berchtesgaden, Germany, where [[Adolf Hitler]] had had his mountain retreat ([[Berghof]]) in the Bavarian Alps. | ||
==Civilian career== | ==Civilian career== | ||
After the war ended, Rockwell became a commercial artist. He applied to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and was accepted for the following year. Rockwell and his wife moved to Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and in spring 1946, he built a photography studio and found work painting commercial signs. Later that year, they moved to New York City, where Rockwell started his studies at Pratt. | After the war ended, Rockwell became a commercial [[artist]]. He applied to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and was accepted for the following year. Rockwell and his wife moved to Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and in spring 1946, he built a photography studio and found work painting commercial signs. Later that year, they moved to New York City, where Rockwell started his studies at Pratt. | ||
While in New York and Brooklyn, Rockwell began to notice | While in New York and Brooklyn, Rockwell began to notice a lot of half-breeds of various types. In high school Rockwell was surrounded by racial minorities, but they appeared to be distinct racial groups. Here, he was confronted with what he feared would be the future of America. | ||
Rockwell also was introduced to the modern art movement while studying at Pratt. He considered half of his instructors to be real artists and the other half to be "gross charlatans." For a while he played along with his instructors who were promoting the new art form. Once he created a monstrosity of a painting as an act of mockery and presented to his teacher. Rockwell received a grade of 'B' for his work. Rockwell began to see modern art as something | Rockwell also was introduced to the modern art movement while studying at Pratt. He considered half of his instructors to be [[real]] artists and the other half to be "gross charlatans." For a while he played along with his instructors who were promoting the new [[art]] form. Once he created a monstrosity of a painting as an act of mockery and presented to his teacher. Rockwell received a grade of 'B' for his work. Rockwell began to see modern art as something alien, [[Communist]] would be the label he would place upon it, and he was correct. Also, he correctly saw [[jews]] as promoters of the movement just as [[Hitler]] saw the jews behind earlier movements. He complained about jews trying to make large amounts of money with little or no effort. | ||
Rockwell nevertheless decided to pursue a career as a commercial artist. In 1948, he won the $1,000 first prize for an ad he did for the American Cancer Society. The contest was sponsored by the National Society of Illustrators in New York. Rockwell left Pratt before finishing his final year | Rockwell nevertheless decided to pursue a career as a commercial artist. In 1948, he won the $1,000 first prize for an ad he did for the American Cancer [[Society]]. The contest was sponsored by the National Society of Illustrators in New York. Rockwell [[left]] Pratt before finishing his final year and started an advertising agency in Maine. Rockwell's career as a commercial artist was interrupted when he was recalled to duty as a Lieutenant Commander at the start of the [[Korean War]]. He moved his wife and two children to San Diego, California, where he trained Navy and Marine pilots. | ||
Upon returning a second time to civilian life, Rockwell saw a business opportunity in starting a new magazine that would appeal to United States servicemen's wives. In September 1955, he launched the publication ''[[U.S. Lady]]''. After presenting the idea to generals and admirals who headed public relations departments for the various military services, Rockwell began his publication efforts in Washington, D.C. The new enterprise would also incorporate Rockwell's political causes: his opposition to both [[race mixing]] and [[communism]]. Rockwell financed the operation through stock sales and subscriptions. With a staff of 30, Rockwell could only promise to pay his employees | Upon returning a second time to civilian life, Rockwell saw a business opportunity in starting a new magazine that would appeal to United States servicemen's wives. In September 1955, he launched the publication ''[[U.S. Lady]]''. After presenting the idea to generals and admirals who headed public relations departments for the various military services, Rockwell began his publication efforts in Washington, D.C. The new enterprise would also incorporate Rockwell's [[political]] causes: his opposition to both [[race mixing]] and [[communism]]. Rockwell financed the operation through stock sales and subscriptions. With a staff of 30, Rockwell could only promise to pay his employees after the successful launch of the first issue. The publication continued to have financial troubles and Rockwell would later sell his interest in the magazine. However, Rockwell still hoped to become a publisher. | ||
For a while, Rockwell worked for [[William F. Buckley Jr.]] | For a while, Rockwell worked for [[William F. Buckley Jr.]] and promoted Buckley's magazine ''National Review'' among conservative college students. Later, Rockwell decided [[conservatives]] were "human ostriches" who would never take a stand against the [[jews]]. Rockwell failed to start his conservative newspaper or the [[right-wing]] unity organization he envisioned. | ||
==Political activism == | ==Political activism == | ||
[[File:Rockwell | [[File:Rockwell president pin.png|frameless|left|200px]] | ||
During his time in San Diego, Rockwell began to pay close attention to politics and became influenced by Senator [[Joseph McCarthy]]'s stance against Communism. Rockwell supported General | During his time in San Diego, Rockwell began to pay close attention to [[politics]] and became influenced by Senator [[Joseph McCarthy]]'s stance against Communism. Rockwell supported General Douglas MacArthur's [[Republican]] candidacy for [[President of the United States]]. Rockwell adopted the corncob pipe, following MacArthur's example. Rockwell attended a Gerald L.K. Smith rally in Los Angeles and read [[Conde McGinley]]'s ''[[Common Sense]]'', a political newspaper that introduced him to the ''[[jewish question]]''. He read ''[[Mein Kampf]]'' and the ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]''. Inwardly he became a [[National Socialist]]. | ||
Rockwell | Rockwell understood the [[jewish influence]] behind three different political movements, and correctly identified them. One was [[Communism]] founded by [[Karl Marx]] with the intent of "organizing the biologically inferior...into a ruthless war of extermination against the elite." The other was [[zionism]] inspired by [[Theodor Herzl]]; with the purpose of establishing a jewish state in [[Palestine]]. The third, were jewish [[Capitalist]]s which helped to finance the two movements and undermine the financial health of the [[America]]n [[republic]]. | ||
He published an ''[[Animal Farm]]''-type parody, ''The Fable of the Ducks and the Hens.''<ref>[http://www.heretical.com/pubs/fabledh.html ''The Fable of the Ducks and the Hens'']</ref> This was Rockwell's | He published an ''[[Animal Farm]]''-[[type]] parody, ''[[The Fable of the Ducks and the Hens]].''<ref>[http://www.heretical.com/pubs/fabledh.html ''The Fable of the Ducks and the Hens'']</ref> This was Rockwell's deep understanding of jewish power in twentieth century America. In 1952, Rockwell began working with jew noticers and anti-communist groups. That year, he attended the American [[Nationalist]] Conference, which was organized by Conde McGinley’s [[Christian]] Educational Association. | ||
In July 1958 Rockwell formed [[The National Committee to Free America from | In July 1958 Rockwell formed [[The National Committee to Free America from jewish Domination]] and picketed in front of the [[White House]] to protest President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]'s decision to send troops to the [[Middle East]]. One day he received a large package from one of his supporters, which contained an 18-foot-long [[Swastika]] flag. He placed the flag on the wall of his home and made an altar with [[Adolf Hitler]]'s photo in the center, lighted with three candles in front. Rockwell reported that he had a strong religious experience and swore allegiance to Hitler, saluting "Heil Hitler!" Rockwell and his growing number of supporters obtained uniforms, armed themselves with rifles and revolvers, and began to parade about his home in Arlington, Virginia. The window to his home was left open, showing the huge Swastika flag. Drew Pearson wrote a news column about Rockwell. | ||
===American Nazi Party=== | ===American Nazi Party=== | ||
[[File: | [[File:ANPhouse.png|frameless|right|200px]] | ||
In March 1959, Rockwell formed the [[World Union of Free Enterprise National Socialists]], a [[name]] chosen to show opposition to state ownership of [[property]]. In December of that year, the name would be changed to the [[American Nazi Party]], and the headquarters moved to 928 North Randolph Street in Arlington, Virginia. The formation of the party resulted in his discharge from the United States Navy and the forfeiting of his pension. Rockwell had to send his wife, Thora, and the four children to Iceland for their personal safety. The separation was supposed to have been temporary. In the months that passed, they grew distant. Rockwell went to Iceland and tried to reconcile with his family. However, he was unable to save his second marriage and they later divorced. Meanwhile, relations with his biological family would never be the same either. Both his brother and sister refused to ever speak with him. His father never forgave his son for supposedly "dishonoring" his name. Only his mother remained in contact. | |||
In March 1959, Rockwell formed the [[World Union of Free Enterprise National Socialists]], a name | |||
In order to gain press attention, Rockwell held his first rally April 3, 1960, on the | In order to gain even more press attention, Rockwell held his first rally April 3, 1960, on the National Mall of Washington, D.C. In spite of a massive crowd, the ''Washington Evening Star'' reported the National [[Socialists]] were a flop and the rally was a failure. Rockwell returned and gave a two-hour speech, gaining still more press attention. | ||
On June 22, Rockwell presented his argument before a New York judge to obtain a | On June 22, Rockwell presented his argument before a New York judge to obtain a Fourth of July rally permit at Union Square. After the hearing, Rockwell gave a press conference and answered a few questions. In response to a reporter, Rockwell said that 80 percent of the jewish population in America were Communist sympathizers and were therefore traitors who should be killed for [[treason]]. The jews in the crowd lost all composure and began to assault Rockwell in the presence of the media. He was given a protected escort out of New York City and never received the permit to hold the rally. Rockwell was later indicted on a trumped-up charge of "incitement to riot" on a warrant which remained open for years. | ||
Failing to get the permit to speak in New York, Rockwell planned a rally set for July 3, 1960 on the Mall in | Failing to get the permit to speak in New York, Rockwell planned a rally set for July 3, 1960, on the Mall in Washington. Rockwell and his men were confronted by a mob and a riot ensued. As zionist enforcers, the police arrested Rockwell and eight party members (for apparently picking a fight with 300 people). Rockwell demanded a trial but instead was sent to a mental institution for thirty days of observation. In less than two weeks he was released and found capable of standing trial. He published a pamphlet on this experience titled, ''How to get out and stay out of the insane asylum''.<ref>[https://www.docdroid.net/E7iMxY3/lincoln-rockwell-george-how-to-get-out-or-stay-out-of-the-insane-asylum-pdf HOW TO GET OUT OR STAY OUT OF AN INSANE ASYLUM (PDF)]</ref> Thereafter, he became even more well-known. | ||
In | In the presidential election of 1964, Rockwell ran as a write-in candidate, receiving 212 votes. He ran unsuccessfully for governor of Virginia in 1965 as an independent, polling 5,730 votes, much more than he expected. According to several of Rockwell's biographers, he was in demand on the lecture circuit and spoke to more than 100 college audiences. | ||
Rockwell led | In summer 1966, Rockwell led a counterdemonstration to [[Martin Luther King, Jr.|Martin Luther King]]'s attempt to bring an end to segregation in the white Chicago suburb of [[Cicero]], Illinois. He believed King was merely a tool for jewish [[Communists]] to integrate America. Although he admired [[J. Edgar Hoover]]'s stand against communist [[subversion]] and would have approved of Hoover's tactics against King, unbeknownst to him, Rockwell was also targeted by the FBI's counterintelligence program: [[COINTELPRO]]. | ||
Rockwell | Rockwell led the American [[Nazi]] Party in assisting the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and similar groups during the Civil [[Rights]] Movement, by countering the [[Freedom]] Riders and the March on Washington. But he soon came to believe the Klan was stuck in the past and ineffective for helping him wage a modern [[struggle]]. After hearing the slogan "[[Black Power]]" during a debate in 1966 with [[Black Panther Party|Black Panther]] [[Stokely Carmichael]], Rockwell altered the phrase and started a call for "[[White Power]]." ''White Power'' would later become the name of the party's newspaper and the title of a book authored by Rockwell. | ||
If separation was not achieved, Rockwell believed America faced long-term racial problems and predicted a great [[race war]], where "the uniform would be your skin color." Rockwell believed the conflict was approaching with whites eventually becoming America's new racial minority. | Rockwell's principal message was racial separation and attempted to form friendly associations with the [[Nation of Islam]]. He praised [[Elijah Muhammad]] as the "[[Black people]]'s Hitler," and for doing the best job in promoting integrity and pride among his people. Rockwell also admired [[Malcolm X]] and saw him as the next true leader for Black America. | ||
If separation was not achieved, Rockwell correctly believed America faced long-term racial problems and predicted a great [[race war]], where "the uniform would be your skin color." Rockwell believed the conflict was approaching with whites eventually becoming America's new racial [[minority]], and he was once again correct. | |||
===''Playboy'' interview=== | ===''Playboy'' interview=== | ||
Rockwell gave four seperate interviews over a period of two years to Alex Haley, the author of the fictional novel ''Roots'' and the (non)''Autobiography of Malcolm X''.<ref>Speech by Rockwell at UCLA campus May 16, 1967</ref> Haley later segmented the interviews and published them in ''Playboy'' magazine, appearing in the April 1966 issue. Rockwell praised Haley for his honest interviews but later complained that a ''Playboy'' editor by the name of Murray Fisher twisted Haley’s work into a bias article. Rockwell went on to say he never received galley proofs of the interview which were accorded the courtesy to previous interviewees who appeared in ''Playboy''<ref>Speech by Rockwell at UCLA campus May 16, 1967</ref> | |||
Rockwell gave four seperate interviews over a period of two years to | |||
At the time ''Playboy’s'' readership was estimated to be 3.6 million.<ref>''American Fuehrer: George Lincoln Rockwell and the American Nazi Party'', by Frederick James Simonelli, page 113</ref> Rockwell agreed to the interview because of the magazine's appeal to white males. For many, this was the first time Rockwell's ideas were presented to the public without censorship. Attention from the ''Playboy'' article brought Rockwell new recruits and speaking engagements on college campuses where at times he earned $2,000 a week.<ref>[http://nypress.com/george-lincoln-rockwell-american-fuehrer/ George Lincoln Rockwell American Fuehrer]</ref> | At the time ''Playboy’s'' readership was estimated to be 3.6 million.<ref>''American Fuehrer: George Lincoln Rockwell and the American Nazi Party'', by Frederick James Simonelli, page 113</ref> Rockwell agreed to the interview because of the magazine's appeal to white males. For many, this was the first time Rockwell's ideas were presented to the public without censorship. Attention from the ''Playboy'' article brought Rockwell new recruits and speaking engagements on college campuses where at times he earned $2,000 a week.<ref>[http://nypress.com/george-lincoln-rockwell-american-fuehrer/ George Lincoln Rockwell American Fuehrer]</ref> | ||
The interview was dramatized in ''Roots: The Next Generations'', with Marlon Brando portraying Rockwell and James Earl Jones portraying Haley.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8SxzNdX1MQ Segment from ''Roots: The Next Generations'']</ref> | The interview was dramatized (unfairly, of course) in ''Roots: The Next Generations'', with Marlon Brando portraying Rockwell and James Earl Jones portraying Haley.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8SxzNdX1MQ Segment from ''Roots: The Next Generations'']</ref> | ||
====Party Headquarters==== | ====Party Headquarters==== | ||
The location he established as the headquarters of | The location he established as the headquarters of the American Nazi Party was 2507 North Franklin Road in Arlington. The two-story house he established as his Barracks, (6150 Wilson Boulevard, in the Dominion Hills district of Arlington), has since been razed and the property incorporated into the Upton Hill Regional Park. | ||
===World Union of National Socialists=== | ===World Union of National Socialists=== | ||
In August | In August 1962 Rockwell travelled to England and Ireland. In the Cotswolds, he co-founded the [[World Union of National Socialists]] with [[Colin Jordan]]'s British organization the [[National Socialist Movement]]. In 1966 the international group published ''National [[Socialist]] World'', edited by former [[physics]] professor [[William Luther Pierce]]. | ||
===National Socialist White People's Party=== | ===National Socialist White People's Party=== | ||
On January 1, 1967, Rockwell announced the party’s next stage of development. He officially changed the name of the American Nazi Party to the [[ | On January 1, 1967, Rockwell announced the party’s next stage of development. He officially changed the name of the American Nazi Party to the [[National Socialist White People's Party]] (NSWPP). Its new slogan would be “White Power” replacing “[[Sieg Heil]].” The new strategy would be to capitalize on growing support in the wake of the Chicago rallies and to focus the organization’s commitment to a [[universal]] [[white nationalism]]. An internal party newsletter, the “National Socialist Bulletin”, was started to convey and help direct these new efforts. | ||
On June 9-11, the party held its national conference in Arlington aimed at reorganizing its leadership and “charting a new course of professionalism.” The ANP party publication ''The Stormtrooper'' magazine was replaced by a newspaper titled ''White Power''. | On June 9-11, the party held its national conference in Arlington aimed at reorganizing its leadership and “charting a new course of professionalism.” The ANP party publication ''The Stormtrooper'' magazine was replaced by a newspaper titled ''White Power''. | ||
===Hatenanny Records and the Hate Bus=== | ===Hatenanny Records and the Hate Bus=== | ||
In the 1960s, Rockwell attempted to draw attention to his cause by starting a small record label named Hatenanny Records (the name was based on the word Hootenanny, a term given to certain folk music performance). The label released several 45 RPM singles, including recordings by a group credited as Odis Cochran and the Three Bigots, and were sold mostly through mail order. A truncated version of one of the band's recordings, ''Ship Those [[Nigger]]s Back'' appears in the documentary ''The California Reich''. When the | In the 1960s, Rockwell attempted to draw attention to his cause by starting a small record label named Hatenanny Records (the name was based on the word Hootenanny, a term given to certain folk [[music]] performance). The label released several 45 RPM singles, including recordings by a group credited as Odis Cochran and the Three Bigots, and were sold mostly through mail order. A truncated version of one of the band's recordings, ''Ship Those [[Nigger]]s Back'' appears in the documentary ''[[The California Reich]]''. When the black "Freedom Riders" drove their campaign to desegregate bus stations in the deep South, Rockwell secured a Volkswagen van and decorated it with [[Swastika]]s and pro-White slogans, dubbing it the [[Hate Bus]] and personally driving it to speaking engagements and party rallies. | ||
==Ideology and tactics== | ==Ideology and tactics== | ||
Rockwell was one of the first to challenge the claims of the [[ | Rockwell was one of the first to challenge the claims of the [[Holohoax]]. He maintained it was all propaganda from the war that became a psychological weapon of [[Zionism]], designed to promote [[white guilt]] and coerce the Western world into contributing billions in foreign aid to [[Israel]]. He often declared that if not for [[the Holohoax]], the modern state of Israel would not exist and there would be no worldwide demand for eliminating racial segregation and apartheid. | ||
When compared to other political icons of the 1960s, Rockwell was a combination of radical-reactionary and counter-revolutionary, meaning that he sought to counter the | When compared to other political icons of the 1960s, Rockwell was a combination of radical-[[reactionary]] and counter-revolutionary, [[meaning]] that he sought to counter the budding [[leftist]] progressive cultural subversion of America and preserve its old way of life by going out of the mainstream to become a frontline fighter. Rockwell always made sure his was law abiding and often pointed out how they had to "break their backs" to be so. This did not stop harassment from law enforcement anyway. | ||
Rockwell supported America's war in Vietnam. At times he would dive into anti-war demonstrations at home, tearing down Viet Cong flags that were being | Rockwell supported America's war in Vietnam. At times he would dive into anti-war demonstrations at home, tearing down [[Viet Cong]] flags that were being waived by [[judeo-Marxist]] protesters. If not for the politicians, he claimed, the war in Vietnam could easily have been fought and won ''"with the Boy Scouts."'' | ||
Rockwell also skewered conservatives like [[Barry Goldwater]] and [[Ronald Reagan]] as either deceptive "kosher conservatives," or opportunistic "ex-pinkos." Rockwell predicted that it would not be long before the American masses were frustrated with both the [[ | Rockwell also skewered conservatives like [[Barry Goldwater]] and [[Ronald Reagan]] as either deceptive "kosher conservatives," or opportunistic "ex-pinkos." Rockwell predicted that it would not be long before the American masses were frustrated with both the [[Democrat Party|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party|Republican]] parties, making way for his planned run and election to the presidency in 1972. | ||
On June 28, 1967, the first attempt was made on Rockwell’s life. | ==Assassination and Mystery== | ||
[[File:Rockwellassasinated.png|frameless|right|200px]] | |||
Rockwell was poised to make a huge showing in this election attempt. His massive popularity many many people uncomfortable. On June 28, 1967, the first attempt was made on Rockwell’s life. Returning from shopping, he drove into the party barracks’ driveway on Wilson Boulevard and found it blocked by a felled tree and brush. Rockwell assumed that it was another prank by local teens. As a young trooper cleared the obstruction, two shots were fired at Rockwell from behind one of the swastika-embossed brick driveway pillars. One of the shots ricocheted off the car right next to his head. Leaping from the car, Rockwell pursued the would-be assassin, but was stopped by troopers who happened to be on the assassin's escape route. On June 30, Rockwell petitioned the Arlington County Circuit Court for a gun permit; no action was ever taken on his request. | |||
On August 25, 1967, Rockwell was killed by gunshots while leaving the Econowash laundromat at the Dominion Hills Shopping Center in the 6000 block of Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia. Two bullets crashed through his 1958 Chevrolet’s windshield and it slowly rolled backwards to a stop. Rockwell staggered out of the front passenger side door of the car, pointed towards the shopping center roof, and then collapsed face up on the pavement. | On August 25, 1967, Rockwell was killed by gunshots while leaving the Econowash laundromat at the Dominion Hills Shopping Center in the 6000 block of Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia. Two bullets crashed through his 1958 Chevrolet’s windshield, and it slowly rolled backwards to a stop. Rockwell staggered out of the front passenger side door of the car, pointed towards the shopping center roof, and then collapsed face up on the pavement. | ||
The gunman ran along the shopping center roof and jumped to the ground in the rear. A shop owner and customer briefly gave chase | The gunman ran along the shopping center roof and jumped to the ground in the rear. A shop owner and customer briefly gave chase but were unable to get a clear look at the fleeing figure. Other customers called the Arlington County police and checked Rockwell for a pulse. He had none; the one bullet that struck him had ripped through several major arteries just above his heart. The internal bleeding was so heavy that Rockwell died in two minutes. | ||
A half hour later at a corner bus stop about one-half mile from the shooting, [[John Patler]], a former member of Rockwell’s group, was arrested 15 mins later at a bus stop, as the suspected assassin, before Rockwell's ambulance had even arrived, by a random passing patrolman who apparently happened to be "familiar with the Arlington National Socialists" (and apparently suspected the unarmed Patler of being the assassin for some reason) . This entire scenario is eerily similar to the Kennedy assassination. Rockwell's personal and private phone number was even found in Lee Harvey Oswald's phone book. | |||
[[File:Patlercuffed.png|thumb|left|200px|Patler in cuffs. He was likely some sort of Patsy ala Lee Harvey Oswald. [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y2BdVyy6hXo Relevant Video HERE]]] | |||
Roy Frankhouser insists the ADL was tied to Patler and Rockwell's assassination. He claims Patler tried to sell him the murder weapon a month before the assassination. On a different note [[Karl Allen]], the former deputy commander to Rockwell, believed Patler was framed by the ADL and started a John Patler Defense Fund on his behalf. Patler himself denied being involved, saying that he was told to be at the bus stop by a reporter from a local newspaper. In a final chilling parallel to the Kennedy assassination Patler claimed he "was a patsy" (and was later called "Patler the patsy") and insisted that he feared for his life. | |||
As deputy commander of the NSWPP, [[Matt Koehl]] became the new commander on Rockwell's death. At the time of his death, the NSWPP had approximately 300 active members nationwide and perhaps 3,000 financial supporters. | As deputy commander of the NSWPP, [[Matt Koehl]] became the new commander on Rockwell's death. At the time of his death, the NSWPP had approximately 300 active members nationwide and perhaps 3,000 financial supporters. | ||
Rockwell had also named Matt Koehl as executor of his will and specified that Koehl should dispose of his body as he saw fit. Rockwell’s parents wanted a private burial in Maine for him, but they had no chance to win a legal fight for the body. On August 27, an NSWPP spokesman reported that Federal officials had given | Rockwell had also named Matt Koehl as executor of his will and specified that Koehl should dispose of his body as he saw fit. Rockwell’s parents wanted a private burial in Maine for him, but they had no chance to win a legal fight for the body. On August 27, an NSWPP spokesman reported that Federal officials had given total approval to a military burial, with full honors, of Rockwell at Culpeper National Cemetery for Veterans of Distinguished Service, which was his right as an honorably discharged and highly decorated Navy Officer. | ||
[[File:Rockwell-denied-military-funeral.png|thumb|right|200px|Mayhem outside Culpepper National Cemetary as the deceased Rockwell and his his 3 mile long funeral procession are denied entry to his prepared plot and honors.]] | |||
On August 29, several dozen NSWPP troopers and about 300 party supporters formed a procession over 3 miles long and drove from Arlington to Culpeper National Cemetary. At the cemetery gates they were met by General Carl C. Turner and 60 - 100 MPs who had been rushed in from Vint Hill to "enforce the U.S. Army’s burial protocol." They were backed by dozens of police from various jurisdictions, over 200 men in all. No mourners bearing NSWPP insignia would be allowed into the cemetery. The NSWPP troopers’ refusal to remove their uniforms led to a day-long standoff. Several arrests resulted. With daylight fading, General Turner declared that Rockwell could not be buried until the NSWPP made a new request to the Pentagon and agreed to follow protocol. | |||
The National Socialists returned to Arlington with Rockwell’s body. Plans were made to bury Rockwell in Spotsylvania County, but they fell apart when local jewish organizations violently protested. Fearing that Arlington County officials might seize the body, the NSWPP had Rockwell cremated the next morning and a memorial service was held that afternoon at party headquarters. On February 8, 1968, the NSWPP filed suit to obtain a National Socialist burial for Rockwell’s remains at any National Cemetery. On March 15, 1969, a ([[jewish]]) Federal district judge upheld the Army Secretary’s ruling that Rockwell was not eligible for a burial with full military honors in a national cemetery, in spite of approval already having been given. The final resting place of Rockwell’s remains is uncertain. | |||
The | The controversy after Rockwell’s death wasn’t limited to the disposition of his remains. It soon spilled over into the trial of his accused assassin. Following psychiatric evaluation, [[John Patler]] was judged competent to stand trial. Patler pled not guilty at his preliminary hearing and on September 29, 1967, he was bound over by a grand jury on the charge of first-degree homicide. His trial began on November 27 amid tight security at the Arlington County Courthouse. On December 15, Patler was found guilty and released on bond to await sentencing. On February 23, 1968, Patler was sentenced to 20 years in prison, at that time the least punishment possible for a first-degree murder conviction. The Virginia Circuit Court postponed imprisonment pending his appeal. | ||
On November 30, 1970, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld Patler’s conviction and 20-year sentence for slaying Rockwell and ordered him to begin serving his sentence. On May 16, 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected Patler’s appeal based on claims of witness contamination. In August 1975, Patler was paroled from the Pulaski correctional unit after serving less than half of his sentence. Judge Charles S. Russell, who had presided over Patler’s murder trial, wrote a lengthy letter to the parole board supporting Patler’s release. It was the only time he ever did this in his career. The following year, however, Patler violated the terms of his parole in a bizarre incident<ref>"Killer of U.S. Nazi chief arrested for trespassing". Arizona Republic. June 18, 1976. p. 18. Retrieved October 2, 2022. </ref><ref>According to David Rybolt he arrived home after work to find four strange people (three men and a woman) had broken into his home and were having a sexual orgy, all were naked, and smoking marijuana. However, the call to police was placed by a neighbor, who claimed to have heard "a man's blood-curdling screams". When police arrived, Patler claimed the three men, including Rybolt, were preparing to kill him. Patler was the only naked person on the scene, and no woman was ever found. </ref> and was returned to prison for an additional six years. On December 30, 1977, Patler petitioned the Henry County Circuit Court to change his surname back to its original form, Patsalos. After serving out the remainder of his sentence, John Patsalos returned to the New York City area, and disappeared. | |||
The strip mall where Rockwell was slain is still called the Dominion Hills Shopping Centre. In the past, admirers of Rockwell have painted a swastika on the exact spot of the parking lot where he died. | |||
==Legacy== | |||
Two of Rockwell's associates, [[Matt Koehl]] and [[William Luther Pierce]], formed their own organizations. Koehl, who was Rockwell's successor, moved the NSWPP to Wisconsin and founded [[New Order]]. Pierce founded the [[National Alliance]]. Rockwell was a source of inspiration for [[David Duke]] when he was young. As a student in high school, when Duke learned of Rockwell's assassination, he reportedly said "The greatest American who ever lived has been shot down and killed." In the mid 1960s, Rockwell had a strategy to develop his [[political philosophy]] within the [[Christian Identity]] religious movement. Previously, Christian [[Identity]] had anti-Semitic and [[racial]] views, but not a [[Third Reich]] orientation. The Christian Identity group [[Aryan Nations]] started to use various National Socialist flags in its services, and its security personnel started wearing uniforms similar to those worn by Rockwell's men. | |||
==Works== | |||
*[https://www.docdroid.net/E7iMxY3/lincoln-rockwell-george-how-to-get-out-or-stay-out-of-the-insane-asylum-pdf ''How to Get Out Or Stay Out of the Insane Asylum''] (1960) | |||
*''In Hoc Signo Vinces'' (1960) | |||
*''Rockwell Report'' (1961) | |||
*''[[This Time the World]]'' (1961) | |||
*''White [[Self]]-Hate: Master-Stroke Of The Enemy'' (1962) | |||
*''[[White Power (book)|White Power]]'' (1967) | |||
== | ==External links== | ||
*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2018/02/12/who-was-george-lincoln-rockwell/ Who Was George Lincoln Rockwell?] | |||
*[https://nationalvanguard.org/2018/03/rockwell-a-national-socialist-life/ Lincoln Rockwell: A National Socialist Life] | |||
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBJnBSBditU George Lincoln Rockwell on Conservatives] - | |||
=More= | |||
{{Infobox Politician | |||
|name = George Lincoln Rockwell | |||
|image = GRockwell.jpg | |||
|caption = George Lincoln Rockwell | |||
|alma_mater = | |||
|birthname = George Lincoln Rockwell | |||
|birth_date = {{birth date|1918|3|9|mf=y}} | |||
|birth_place = [[Bloomington, Illinois|Bloomington]], [[Illinois]], [[United States]] | |||
|death_date = {{death date and age|1967|8|25|1918|3|9}} | |||
|death_place = [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington County]], [[Virginia]], [[United States]] | |||
|office = Commander of the [[American Nazi Party]] | |||
|term_start = March, 1958 | |||
|term_end = August 25, 1967 (9 years) | |||
|predecessor = Position Established | |||
|successor = [[Matt Koehl]] | |||
|office2 = Leader of the [[World Union of National Socialists]] | |||
|term_start2 = 1962 | |||
|term_end2 = August 25, 1967 (5 years) | |||
|predecessor2 = Position Established | |||
|successor2 = [[Matt Koehl]] | |||
|residence = | |||
|party = [[American Nazi Party]] | |||
|occupation = US Naval officer, commercial artist, [[National Socialist]] activist | |||
|religion = [[Agnostic]] | |||
|spouse = Judy Aultman (1943-1953) <br> [[Thóra Hallgrímsdóttir]] (1953-1961) | |||
|signature = | |||
|children = | |||
|allegiance={{Flagicon|United States}} [[United States]] | |||
|rank= [[Commander (United States)|Commander]] | |||
|branch= [[United States Navy]] | |||
|serviceyears=1941–1960 | |||
|battles=[[World War II]]<br>[[Korean War]] | |||
|awards=*American Defense Service Medal | |||
*American Campaign Medal (w/1 service star) | |||
*Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (w/3 service stars) | |||
*European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (w/1 service star) | |||
*World War II Victory Medal | |||
*National Defense Service Medal | |||
*Naval Reserve Medal | |||
*Philippine Liberation Medal (w/2 service stars) | |||
}} | |||
==Works== | ==Works== | ||
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*[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2018/02/12/who-was-george-lincoln-rockwell/ Who Was George Lincoln Rockwell?] | *[https://www.theoccidentalobserver.net/2018/02/12/who-was-george-lincoln-rockwell/ Who Was George Lincoln Rockwell?] | ||
*[https://nationalvanguard.org/2018/03/rockwell-a-national-socialist-life/ Lincoln Rockwell: A National Socialist Life] | *[https://nationalvanguard.org/2018/03/rockwell-a-national-socialist-life/ Lincoln Rockwell: A National Socialist Life] | ||
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBJnBSBditU George Lincoln Rockwell on Conservatives] - YouTube | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBJnBSBditU George Lincoln Rockwell on Conservatives] - [[YouTube]] | ||
*[https://folktrove.com/eulogy-for-commander-george-lincoln-rockwell-by-matt-koehl-august-30-1967/ Eulogy for Commander George Lincoln Rockwell by Matt Koehl] | *[https://folktrove.com/eulogy-for-commander-george-lincoln-rockwell-by-matt-koehl-august-30-1967/ Eulogy for Commander George Lincoln Rockwell by Matt Koehl] | ||
*[https://folktrove.com/category/personnel/george-lincoln-rockwell/ Folktrove digital archive for George Lincoln Rockwell] | *[https://folktrove.com/category/personnel/george-lincoln-rockwell/ Folktrove digital archive for George Lincoln Rockwell] | ||
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{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
[[ | [[Category:Activists]] | ||
[[ | [[Category:Articles in need of citation]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Artists]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Authors]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Fascists]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:George Lincoln Rockwell| ]] | ||
[[Category:History]] | |||
[[Category:Leaders]] | |||
[[Category:Nationalists]] | [[Category:Nationalists]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Pages with broken file links]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:People]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Philosophers]] | ||
[[ | [[Category:Politicians]] | ||
[[ | [[Category:Scientists]] | ||
[[ | [[Category:Soldiers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:09, 25 February 2024
George Lincoln Rockwell (March 9, 1918 – August 25, 1967) was a United States Navy Commander, War hero, genius, philosopher, and founder of the American Nazi Party. He was the first in the postwar period in America to prominently use National Socialist symbolism. His beliefs and writings have continued to be influential among people, particularly in America.
Early life
Rockwell was born in Bloomington, Illinois, the oldest of three children which included a sister and one a brother, Robert K. Rockwell. His father, George Lovejoy "Doc" Rockwell, was of English and Scottish descent, and his mother, Claire Schade Rockwell´s was German and French. Both parents were vaudeville comedians and actors. Some of his father's acquaintances included Fred Allen, Benny Goodman, Walter Winchell, Jack Benny, and Groucho Marx. Rockwell later claimed he acquired his public speaking skills due to his upbringing. His parents were divorced when Rockwell was six, and this led to him spending his youth partly with his mother's family in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and partly with his father's family in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Here, he developed a passion for sailing and fishing.
Rockwell attended Atlantic City High School in New Jersey for four years. He failed to graduate in his senior year at Atlantic City High; it was due to a serious conflict with one of his teachers, who apparently went out of his way to throw roadblocks at the teenage Rockwell at every opportunity. He finally graduated from a high school the following year in Providence, Rhode Island.
Rockwell applied to Harvard, was accepted, but failed to get in since his school records from Atlantic City were (on purpose, see above) never received at the university. He had another 'free year' and his father decided to send his son to a boarding school, Hebron Academy, near Lewiston, Maine. While at the academy, Rockwell had something of an intellectual transformation. Here, for the first time he began to read philosophy and socially significant novels. He was impressed with the logic of Schopenhauer but disturbed by such novels as Sinclair Lewis' Arrowsmith. Rockwell concluded these novels led people by emotion and not reason. At the time he did not fully understand the impact of such novels but would later correctly identify them as left-wing and communist propaganda. [1]
He also began to re-examine the topic of religion. Previously, he had thought of himself as being highly religious, but after rereading the Bible, he mistakenly declared himself to be an atheist, incorrectly believing such action to be "intellectual". Later, he began to see religion not as an opiate of the masses, as Marxism insists, but instead as a necessary pillar of civilization. He contemplated the possibility of a "total intelligence" existing somewhere in the universe and thought that a better description of his views was agnostic. Later, he would promote Christian Identity.
In 1938, Rockwell entered Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and majored in philosophy. In his sociology courses at Brown, Rockwell rejected equality and the idea that man was made by his environment or that all human beings had the same potential in life. Among his fellow students, he discussed ideas and argued in endless bull sessions, particularly over topics such as social themes in popular novels. He began to realize he was taking the 'conservative' position in nearly every argument against his 'liberal' opponents. At Brown he learned the art of controversy and the tactics of debate.
Military service and marriages
In his sophomore year, Rockwell was convinced that it was only a matter of time until America would be at war with Germany. He decided to leave Brown University to join the Navy. Rockwell appreciated the order and discipline of the navy, and in 1941 he attended flight schools in Massachusetts and Florida. After getting his flight wings, he was shipped to Norfolk, Virginia.
While in transit on the USS Pastores, Rockwell had to put down a race riot between White southerners and Blacks who were placed in the same sleeping quarters. The solution Rockwell and the other officers used to stop the rioting was to separate the two groups. Due to a coin toss, Rockwell ended up leading the Black sailors while another officer took charge of the White southerners.
During the war, Blacks were segregated in the navy, and Rockwell was not hostile toward them. Rockwell later called for a total separation of Blacks and Whites as a solution to America's race relations problems. He wanted to enact a program of repatriation of Blacks to Africa. When the United States armed forces were integrated in 1948, Rockwell predicted a drop of morale among American servicemen, which came true.
Rockwell served in the South Atlantic aboard the USS Omaha looking for enemy subs. Rockwell flew old Curtiss biplanes which were launched by aircraft catapults from the Omaha. Off the coast of Africa, Rockwell helped in the sinking of two Italian subs when he was part of a carrier killer group.
On April 24, 1943, Rockwell married Judy Aultman, whom he had met while attending Brown University. Aultman was a student at Pembroke College, which was the female half of Brown University. After his marriage, Rockwell studied at the navy's aerial photography school in Florida. Upon completing his training, he served in the Pacific. His most notable action was the coordinating of air support in the retaking of Guam.
In 1952, Rockwell was ordered to report to Norfolk, Virginia. Upon arrival, he was told that his next post would be Iceland. Since families were not permitted to be with Americans stationed in that country, his wife and children moved in with her mother in Barrington, Rhode Island. After a few months in Iceland, Rockwell returned to his family in Rhode Island. A short time later, Rockwell and his wife were divorced. After several months after his return to Iceland, Rockwell attended a diplomatic party in Reykjavík, Iceland's capital. At the party, Rockwell met Thora Hallgrimsson, who later became his wife. They were married on October 3, 1953, in the Icelandic National Cathedral by Thora's uncle, who was the Bishop of Iceland. The couple honeymooned in Berchtesgaden, Germany, where Adolf Hitler had had his mountain retreat (Berghof) in the Bavarian Alps.
Civilian career
After the war ended, Rockwell became a commercial artist. He applied to the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and was accepted for the following year. Rockwell and his wife moved to Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and in spring 1946, he built a photography studio and found work painting commercial signs. Later that year, they moved to New York City, where Rockwell started his studies at Pratt.
While in New York and Brooklyn, Rockwell began to notice a lot of half-breeds of various types. In high school Rockwell was surrounded by racial minorities, but they appeared to be distinct racial groups. Here, he was confronted with what he feared would be the future of America.
Rockwell also was introduced to the modern art movement while studying at Pratt. He considered half of his instructors to be real artists and the other half to be "gross charlatans." For a while he played along with his instructors who were promoting the new art form. Once he created a monstrosity of a painting as an act of mockery and presented to his teacher. Rockwell received a grade of 'B' for his work. Rockwell began to see modern art as something alien, Communist would be the label he would place upon it, and he was correct. Also, he correctly saw jews as promoters of the movement just as Hitler saw the jews behind earlier movements. He complained about jews trying to make large amounts of money with little or no effort.
Rockwell nevertheless decided to pursue a career as a commercial artist. In 1948, he won the $1,000 first prize for an ad he did for the American Cancer Society. The contest was sponsored by the National Society of Illustrators in New York. Rockwell left Pratt before finishing his final year and started an advertising agency in Maine. Rockwell's career as a commercial artist was interrupted when he was recalled to duty as a Lieutenant Commander at the start of the Korean War. He moved his wife and two children to San Diego, California, where he trained Navy and Marine pilots.
Upon returning a second time to civilian life, Rockwell saw a business opportunity in starting a new magazine that would appeal to United States servicemen's wives. In September 1955, he launched the publication U.S. Lady. After presenting the idea to generals and admirals who headed public relations departments for the various military services, Rockwell began his publication efforts in Washington, D.C. The new enterprise would also incorporate Rockwell's political causes: his opposition to both race mixing and communism. Rockwell financed the operation through stock sales and subscriptions. With a staff of 30, Rockwell could only promise to pay his employees after the successful launch of the first issue. The publication continued to have financial troubles and Rockwell would later sell his interest in the magazine. However, Rockwell still hoped to become a publisher.
For a while, Rockwell worked for William F. Buckley Jr. and promoted Buckley's magazine National Review among conservative college students. Later, Rockwell decided conservatives were "human ostriches" who would never take a stand against the jews. Rockwell failed to start his conservative newspaper or the right-wing unity organization he envisioned.
Political activism
During his time in San Diego, Rockwell began to pay close attention to politics and became influenced by Senator Joseph McCarthy's stance against Communism. Rockwell supported General Douglas MacArthur's Republican candidacy for President of the United States. Rockwell adopted the corncob pipe, following MacArthur's example. Rockwell attended a Gerald L.K. Smith rally in Los Angeles and read Conde McGinley's Common Sense, a political newspaper that introduced him to the jewish question. He read Mein Kampf and the The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Inwardly he became a National Socialist.
Rockwell understood the jewish influence behind three different political movements, and correctly identified them. One was Communism founded by Karl Marx with the intent of "organizing the biologically inferior...into a ruthless war of extermination against the elite." The other was zionism inspired by Theodor Herzl; with the purpose of establishing a jewish state in Palestine. The third, were jewish Capitalists which helped to finance the two movements and undermine the financial health of the American republic.
He published an Animal Farm-type parody, The Fable of the Ducks and the Hens.[2] This was Rockwell's deep understanding of jewish power in twentieth century America. In 1952, Rockwell began working with jew noticers and anti-communist groups. That year, he attended the American Nationalist Conference, which was organized by Conde McGinley’s Christian Educational Association.
In July 1958 Rockwell formed The National Committee to Free America from jewish Domination and picketed in front of the White House to protest President Dwight D. Eisenhower's decision to send troops to the Middle East. One day he received a large package from one of his supporters, which contained an 18-foot-long Swastika flag. He placed the flag on the wall of his home and made an altar with Adolf Hitler's photo in the center, lighted with three candles in front. Rockwell reported that he had a strong religious experience and swore allegiance to Hitler, saluting "Heil Hitler!" Rockwell and his growing number of supporters obtained uniforms, armed themselves with rifles and revolvers, and began to parade about his home in Arlington, Virginia. The window to his home was left open, showing the huge Swastika flag. Drew Pearson wrote a news column about Rockwell.
American Nazi Party
In March 1959, Rockwell formed the World Union of Free Enterprise National Socialists, a name chosen to show opposition to state ownership of property. In December of that year, the name would be changed to the American Nazi Party, and the headquarters moved to 928 North Randolph Street in Arlington, Virginia. The formation of the party resulted in his discharge from the United States Navy and the forfeiting of his pension. Rockwell had to send his wife, Thora, and the four children to Iceland for their personal safety. The separation was supposed to have been temporary. In the months that passed, they grew distant. Rockwell went to Iceland and tried to reconcile with his family. However, he was unable to save his second marriage and they later divorced. Meanwhile, relations with his biological family would never be the same either. Both his brother and sister refused to ever speak with him. His father never forgave his son for supposedly "dishonoring" his name. Only his mother remained in contact.
In order to gain even more press attention, Rockwell held his first rally April 3, 1960, on the National Mall of Washington, D.C. In spite of a massive crowd, the Washington Evening Star reported the National Socialists were a flop and the rally was a failure. Rockwell returned and gave a two-hour speech, gaining still more press attention.
On June 22, Rockwell presented his argument before a New York judge to obtain a Fourth of July rally permit at Union Square. After the hearing, Rockwell gave a press conference and answered a few questions. In response to a reporter, Rockwell said that 80 percent of the jewish population in America were Communist sympathizers and were therefore traitors who should be killed for treason. The jews in the crowd lost all composure and began to assault Rockwell in the presence of the media. He was given a protected escort out of New York City and never received the permit to hold the rally. Rockwell was later indicted on a trumped-up charge of "incitement to riot" on a warrant which remained open for years.
Failing to get the permit to speak in New York, Rockwell planned a rally set for July 3, 1960, on the Mall in Washington. Rockwell and his men were confronted by a mob and a riot ensued. As zionist enforcers, the police arrested Rockwell and eight party members (for apparently picking a fight with 300 people). Rockwell demanded a trial but instead was sent to a mental institution for thirty days of observation. In less than two weeks he was released and found capable of standing trial. He published a pamphlet on this experience titled, How to get out and stay out of the insane asylum.[3] Thereafter, he became even more well-known.
In the presidential election of 1964, Rockwell ran as a write-in candidate, receiving 212 votes. He ran unsuccessfully for governor of Virginia in 1965 as an independent, polling 5,730 votes, much more than he expected. According to several of Rockwell's biographers, he was in demand on the lecture circuit and spoke to more than 100 college audiences.
In summer 1966, Rockwell led a counterdemonstration to Martin Luther King's attempt to bring an end to segregation in the white Chicago suburb of Cicero, Illinois. He believed King was merely a tool for jewish Communists to integrate America. Although he admired J. Edgar Hoover's stand against communist subversion and would have approved of Hoover's tactics against King, unbeknownst to him, Rockwell was also targeted by the FBI's counterintelligence program: COINTELPRO.
Rockwell led the American Nazi Party in assisting the Ku Klux Klan and similar groups during the Civil Rights Movement, by countering the Freedom Riders and the March on Washington. But he soon came to believe the Klan was stuck in the past and ineffective for helping him wage a modern struggle. After hearing the slogan "Black Power" during a debate in 1966 with Black Panther Stokely Carmichael, Rockwell altered the phrase and started a call for "White Power." White Power would later become the name of the party's newspaper and the title of a book authored by Rockwell.
Rockwell's principal message was racial separation and attempted to form friendly associations with the Nation of Islam. He praised Elijah Muhammad as the "Black people's Hitler," and for doing the best job in promoting integrity and pride among his people. Rockwell also admired Malcolm X and saw him as the next true leader for Black America.
If separation was not achieved, Rockwell correctly believed America faced long-term racial problems and predicted a great race war, where "the uniform would be your skin color." Rockwell believed the conflict was approaching with whites eventually becoming America's new racial minority, and he was once again correct.
Playboy interview
Rockwell gave four seperate interviews over a period of two years to Alex Haley, the author of the fictional novel Roots and the (non)Autobiography of Malcolm X.[4] Haley later segmented the interviews and published them in Playboy magazine, appearing in the April 1966 issue. Rockwell praised Haley for his honest interviews but later complained that a Playboy editor by the name of Murray Fisher twisted Haley’s work into a bias article. Rockwell went on to say he never received galley proofs of the interview which were accorded the courtesy to previous interviewees who appeared in Playboy[5]
At the time Playboy’s readership was estimated to be 3.6 million.[6] Rockwell agreed to the interview because of the magazine's appeal to white males. For many, this was the first time Rockwell's ideas were presented to the public without censorship. Attention from the Playboy article brought Rockwell new recruits and speaking engagements on college campuses where at times he earned $2,000 a week.[7]
The interview was dramatized (unfairly, of course) in Roots: The Next Generations, with Marlon Brando portraying Rockwell and James Earl Jones portraying Haley.[8]
Party Headquarters
The location he established as the headquarters of the American Nazi Party was 2507 North Franklin Road in Arlington. The two-story house he established as his Barracks, (6150 Wilson Boulevard, in the Dominion Hills district of Arlington), has since been razed and the property incorporated into the Upton Hill Regional Park.
World Union of National Socialists
In August 1962 Rockwell travelled to England and Ireland. In the Cotswolds, he co-founded the World Union of National Socialists with Colin Jordan's British organization the National Socialist Movement. In 1966 the international group published National Socialist World, edited by former physics professor William Luther Pierce.
National Socialist White People's Party
On January 1, 1967, Rockwell announced the party’s next stage of development. He officially changed the name of the American Nazi Party to the National Socialist White People's Party (NSWPP). Its new slogan would be “White Power” replacing “Sieg Heil.” The new strategy would be to capitalize on growing support in the wake of the Chicago rallies and to focus the organization’s commitment to a universal white nationalism. An internal party newsletter, the “National Socialist Bulletin”, was started to convey and help direct these new efforts.
On June 9-11, the party held its national conference in Arlington aimed at reorganizing its leadership and “charting a new course of professionalism.” The ANP party publication The Stormtrooper magazine was replaced by a newspaper titled White Power.
Hatenanny Records and the Hate Bus
In the 1960s, Rockwell attempted to draw attention to his cause by starting a small record label named Hatenanny Records (the name was based on the word Hootenanny, a term given to certain folk music performance). The label released several 45 RPM singles, including recordings by a group credited as Odis Cochran and the Three Bigots, and were sold mostly through mail order. A truncated version of one of the band's recordings, Ship Those Niggers Back appears in the documentary The California Reich. When the black "Freedom Riders" drove their campaign to desegregate bus stations in the deep South, Rockwell secured a Volkswagen van and decorated it with Swastikas and pro-White slogans, dubbing it the Hate Bus and personally driving it to speaking engagements and party rallies.
Ideology and tactics
Rockwell was one of the first to challenge the claims of the Holohoax. He maintained it was all propaganda from the war that became a psychological weapon of Zionism, designed to promote white guilt and coerce the Western world into contributing billions in foreign aid to Israel. He often declared that if not for the Holohoax, the modern state of Israel would not exist and there would be no worldwide demand for eliminating racial segregation and apartheid.
When compared to other political icons of the 1960s, Rockwell was a combination of radical-reactionary and counter-revolutionary, meaning that he sought to counter the budding leftist progressive cultural subversion of America and preserve its old way of life by going out of the mainstream to become a frontline fighter. Rockwell always made sure his was law abiding and often pointed out how they had to "break their backs" to be so. This did not stop harassment from law enforcement anyway.
Rockwell supported America's war in Vietnam. At times he would dive into anti-war demonstrations at home, tearing down Viet Cong flags that were being waived by judeo-Marxist protesters. If not for the politicians, he claimed, the war in Vietnam could easily have been fought and won "with the Boy Scouts."
Rockwell also skewered conservatives like Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan as either deceptive "kosher conservatives," or opportunistic "ex-pinkos." Rockwell predicted that it would not be long before the American masses were frustrated with both the Democratic and Republican parties, making way for his planned run and election to the presidency in 1972.
Assassination and Mystery
Rockwell was poised to make a huge showing in this election attempt. His massive popularity many many people uncomfortable. On June 28, 1967, the first attempt was made on Rockwell’s life. Returning from shopping, he drove into the party barracks’ driveway on Wilson Boulevard and found it blocked by a felled tree and brush. Rockwell assumed that it was another prank by local teens. As a young trooper cleared the obstruction, two shots were fired at Rockwell from behind one of the swastika-embossed brick driveway pillars. One of the shots ricocheted off the car right next to his head. Leaping from the car, Rockwell pursued the would-be assassin, but was stopped by troopers who happened to be on the assassin's escape route. On June 30, Rockwell petitioned the Arlington County Circuit Court for a gun permit; no action was ever taken on his request.
On August 25, 1967, Rockwell was killed by gunshots while leaving the Econowash laundromat at the Dominion Hills Shopping Center in the 6000 block of Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia. Two bullets crashed through his 1958 Chevrolet’s windshield, and it slowly rolled backwards to a stop. Rockwell staggered out of the front passenger side door of the car, pointed towards the shopping center roof, and then collapsed face up on the pavement.
The gunman ran along the shopping center roof and jumped to the ground in the rear. A shop owner and customer briefly gave chase but were unable to get a clear look at the fleeing figure. Other customers called the Arlington County police and checked Rockwell for a pulse. He had none; the one bullet that struck him had ripped through several major arteries just above his heart. The internal bleeding was so heavy that Rockwell died in two minutes.
A half hour later at a corner bus stop about one-half mile from the shooting, John Patler, a former member of Rockwell’s group, was arrested 15 mins later at a bus stop, as the suspected assassin, before Rockwell's ambulance had even arrived, by a random passing patrolman who apparently happened to be "familiar with the Arlington National Socialists" (and apparently suspected the unarmed Patler of being the assassin for some reason) . This entire scenario is eerily similar to the Kennedy assassination. Rockwell's personal and private phone number was even found in Lee Harvey Oswald's phone book.
Roy Frankhouser insists the ADL was tied to Patler and Rockwell's assassination. He claims Patler tried to sell him the murder weapon a month before the assassination. On a different note Karl Allen, the former deputy commander to Rockwell, believed Patler was framed by the ADL and started a John Patler Defense Fund on his behalf. Patler himself denied being involved, saying that he was told to be at the bus stop by a reporter from a local newspaper. In a final chilling parallel to the Kennedy assassination Patler claimed he "was a patsy" (and was later called "Patler the patsy") and insisted that he feared for his life.
As deputy commander of the NSWPP, Matt Koehl became the new commander on Rockwell's death. At the time of his death, the NSWPP had approximately 300 active members nationwide and perhaps 3,000 financial supporters.
Rockwell had also named Matt Koehl as executor of his will and specified that Koehl should dispose of his body as he saw fit. Rockwell’s parents wanted a private burial in Maine for him, but they had no chance to win a legal fight for the body. On August 27, an NSWPP spokesman reported that Federal officials had given total approval to a military burial, with full honors, of Rockwell at Culpeper National Cemetery for Veterans of Distinguished Service, which was his right as an honorably discharged and highly decorated Navy Officer.
On August 29, several dozen NSWPP troopers and about 300 party supporters formed a procession over 3 miles long and drove from Arlington to Culpeper National Cemetary. At the cemetery gates they were met by General Carl C. Turner and 60 - 100 MPs who had been rushed in from Vint Hill to "enforce the U.S. Army’s burial protocol." They were backed by dozens of police from various jurisdictions, over 200 men in all. No mourners bearing NSWPP insignia would be allowed into the cemetery. The NSWPP troopers’ refusal to remove their uniforms led to a day-long standoff. Several arrests resulted. With daylight fading, General Turner declared that Rockwell could not be buried until the NSWPP made a new request to the Pentagon and agreed to follow protocol.
The National Socialists returned to Arlington with Rockwell’s body. Plans were made to bury Rockwell in Spotsylvania County, but they fell apart when local jewish organizations violently protested. Fearing that Arlington County officials might seize the body, the NSWPP had Rockwell cremated the next morning and a memorial service was held that afternoon at party headquarters. On February 8, 1968, the NSWPP filed suit to obtain a National Socialist burial for Rockwell’s remains at any National Cemetery. On March 15, 1969, a (jewish) Federal district judge upheld the Army Secretary’s ruling that Rockwell was not eligible for a burial with full military honors in a national cemetery, in spite of approval already having been given. The final resting place of Rockwell’s remains is uncertain.
The controversy after Rockwell’s death wasn’t limited to the disposition of his remains. It soon spilled over into the trial of his accused assassin. Following psychiatric evaluation, John Patler was judged competent to stand trial. Patler pled not guilty at his preliminary hearing and on September 29, 1967, he was bound over by a grand jury on the charge of first-degree homicide. His trial began on November 27 amid tight security at the Arlington County Courthouse. On December 15, Patler was found guilty and released on bond to await sentencing. On February 23, 1968, Patler was sentenced to 20 years in prison, at that time the least punishment possible for a first-degree murder conviction. The Virginia Circuit Court postponed imprisonment pending his appeal.
On November 30, 1970, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld Patler’s conviction and 20-year sentence for slaying Rockwell and ordered him to begin serving his sentence. On May 16, 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected Patler’s appeal based on claims of witness contamination. In August 1975, Patler was paroled from the Pulaski correctional unit after serving less than half of his sentence. Judge Charles S. Russell, who had presided over Patler’s murder trial, wrote a lengthy letter to the parole board supporting Patler’s release. It was the only time he ever did this in his career. The following year, however, Patler violated the terms of his parole in a bizarre incident[9][10] and was returned to prison for an additional six years. On December 30, 1977, Patler petitioned the Henry County Circuit Court to change his surname back to its original form, Patsalos. After serving out the remainder of his sentence, John Patsalos returned to the New York City area, and disappeared.
The strip mall where Rockwell was slain is still called the Dominion Hills Shopping Centre. In the past, admirers of Rockwell have painted a swastika on the exact spot of the parking lot where he died.
Legacy
Two of Rockwell's associates, Matt Koehl and William Luther Pierce, formed their own organizations. Koehl, who was Rockwell's successor, moved the NSWPP to Wisconsin and founded New Order. Pierce founded the National Alliance. Rockwell was a source of inspiration for David Duke when he was young. As a student in high school, when Duke learned of Rockwell's assassination, he reportedly said "The greatest American who ever lived has been shot down and killed." In the mid 1960s, Rockwell had a strategy to develop his political philosophy within the Christian Identity religious movement. Previously, Christian Identity had anti-Semitic and racial views, but not a Third Reich orientation. The Christian Identity group Aryan Nations started to use various National Socialist flags in its services, and its security personnel started wearing uniforms similar to those worn by Rockwell's men.
Works
- How to Get Out Or Stay Out of the Insane Asylum (1960)
- In Hoc Signo Vinces (1960)
- Rockwell Report (1961)
- This Time the World (1961)
- White Self-Hate: Master-Stroke Of The Enemy (1962)
- White Power (1967)
External links
- Who Was George Lincoln Rockwell?
- Lincoln Rockwell: A National Socialist Life
- George Lincoln Rockwell on Conservatives -
More
George Lincoln Rockwell
| |
George Lincoln Rockwell George Lincoln Rockwell | |
Commander of the American Nazi Party
| |
In office March, 1958 – August 25, 1967 (9 years) | |
Preceded by | Position Established |
---|---|
Succeeded by | Matt Koehl |
Leader of the World Union of National Socialists
| |
In office 1962 – August 25, 1967 (5 years) | |
Preceded by | Position Established |
Succeeded by | Matt Koehl |
Born | March 9, 1918 Bloomington, Illinois, United States |
Died | August 25, 1967 (aged 49) Arlington County, Virginia, United States |
Birth name | George Lincoln Rockwell |
Political party | American Nazi Party |
Spouse(s) | Judy Aultman (1943-1953) Thóra Hallgrímsdóttir (1953-1961) |
Occupation | US Naval officer, commercial artist, National Socialist activist |
Religion | Agnostic |
colspan="2" style="background-color: #B0C4DE; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" | Military service | |
Allegiance | File:Flag of the United States.svg United States |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1941–1960 |
Rank | Commander |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
Awards | *American Defense Service Medal
|
Works
- How to Get Out Or Stay Out of the Insane Asylum (1960)
- In Hoc Signo Vinces, World Union of Free Enterprise National Socialists (1960)
- The Rockwell Report (1961)
- The Stormtrooper
- This Time the World (1961)
- White Self-Hate: Master-Stroke Of The Enemy (1962)
- White Power (1967)
See also
External links
- Who Was George Lincoln Rockwell?
- Lincoln Rockwell: A National Socialist Life
- George Lincoln Rockwell on Conservatives - YouTube
- Eulogy for Commander George Lincoln Rockwell by Matt Koehl
- Folktrove digital archive for George Lincoln Rockwell
References
- ↑ This Time the World Chapter III
- ↑ The Fable of the Ducks and the Hens
- ↑ HOW TO GET OUT OR STAY OUT OF AN INSANE ASYLUM (PDF)
- ↑ Speech by Rockwell at UCLA campus May 16, 1967
- ↑ Speech by Rockwell at UCLA campus May 16, 1967
- ↑ American Fuehrer: George Lincoln Rockwell and the American Nazi Party, by Frederick James Simonelli, page 113
- ↑ George Lincoln Rockwell American Fuehrer
- ↑ Segment from Roots: The Next Generations
- ↑ "Killer of U.S. Nazi chief arrested for trespassing". Arizona Republic. June 18, 1976. p. 18. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ↑ According to David Rybolt he arrived home after work to find four strange people (three men and a woman) had broken into his home and were having a sexual orgy, all were naked, and smoking marijuana. However, the call to police was placed by a neighbor, who claimed to have heard "a man's blood-curdling screams". When police arrived, Patler claimed the three men, including Rybolt, were preparing to kill him. Patler was the only naked person on the scene, and no woman was ever found.