The family of Rollin Lee Culp has requested the presence of the Patriot Guard Riders to Honor this WWII / Korean War Hero. It will be our Honor to do so.
Rollin (or Lee as he liked to be called) was born on January 5, 1928.
As Lee got older and was almost finished with school, the call of military service was etched deep in his heart. Upon graduating from high school, Lee enlisted in the US Army. Lee got enrolled in the Army's Specialized Training Program (ASTP) that sent him to North Georgia College where he took engineering and basic training.
Lee was sent to Europe in the wake of the D-Day invasion finding himself at Bastogne with the 76th Infantry Division. As World War II wore on, Lee reached the rank of Technician Fifth Grade (TEC 5), the equivalent of corporal today, a rank recognizing enlisted soldiers with special technical skills.
Lee was called up for active duty from the Army Reserves for the Korean Conflict in 1950. Lee was trained to drive landing craft as part of the Army’s Engineer Special Brigade. He drove an LCVP carrying Marines at the Battle of Inchon in September 1950.
Lee's craft was destroyed by enemy fire, but Lee survived and was hospitalized. Lee was later assigned to a tank platoon with the Second Infantry Division. During a battle, his tank was disabled. He popped the hatch and was hit in the face by the butt of an enemy rifle, losing his front teeth. He was left for dead but was rescued and again hospitalized.
Lee’s determination and heroism during the time he served earned him a Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, and a Belgian Croix de Guerre Fourragère.
After World War II, Lee remained in the Army Reserves, while working as a systems analyst for National Cash Register and IBM and later in the booming Southern California aerospace industry for several companies including Autonetics and General Dynamics.
Upon Lee's Honorable Discharge he came out as a Sergeant 1st Class
Lee was a jack of all trades and a man that could get along with anyone. Lee, at one point, transported arms and diamonds for a dealer in downtown Los Angeles.
In his later years, Lee became a successful real estate investor, and a do-it-yourself landlord well into his eighties. A lover of travel, he and Edith traveled extensively over their 70 years of marriage from Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Russia, covering most Europe and the US. Lee also arranged a very special trip taking their entire family to Alaska for their 50th anniversary.
Lee became a collector of everything from model tanks and trains to coins and stamps. His other interests included classical music and reading. Lee's best time was watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow up.
On March 12, 2024 Lee passed away just a few months after his 96th Birthday.
Lee is survived by his wife: Edith (whom he lovingly called Edie); two daughters, Diana and Arlene; two granddaughters, Alicia, & Melissa, 4 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to the church, approximately 43 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Line for Monday April 15, 2024:0715 - Stage at Jack in the Box, 1010 N Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vkDXg1XqtbAMtp9L70730 - Mission Briefing
0745 - KSU to Family House (address to be provided during the mission briefing)
0800 - Flag line as Hero is brought out to awaiting vehicle
0815 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8juZ7a4ScvN6JBiu60930 - ETA at Riverside National Cemetery
1000 - Final services for our American Hero
R/C Mike "Joker" Courtright
So Cal PGR / Ride Captainmokynanapo@sbcglobal.net
714-321-3356
"Standing for those who stood for us" Only 2 defining forces offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ, and the American Soldier: One died for your soul, the other one died for your freedom.
You do not have to be a veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum.
