Keller Emrick Rockey was born in Columbus City, Indiana on 22 September 1888. Appointed from Pennsylvania in the U.S. Marine Corps, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in November 1913 Completing The Basic School, he reported for sea duty, serving in succession on board USS Nebraska then USS Nevada. In August 1916, he was promoted to First Lieutenant. During World War I, he served with the Fifth Marine Regiment in France and was temporarily promoted to Captain in May 1917, which was followed by a promotion to Major in July 1918. After the war, he was reverted to the rank of Captain and served with First Provisional Brigade Marines in Haiti. Returning to the U.S. in August 1922, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks at Washington, D.C., which was followed with a tour at Headquarters, Marine Corps. During World War II, Rockey was assigned as Director, Division of Plans and Policies at Headquarters, Marine Corps. In March 1942, he was temporarily promoted to Brigadier General and that August became the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. In September 1942, he received another temporary promotion to Major General. In February 1944, he became Commanding General, 5th Marine Division and also led the Third Amphibious Corps. During February-March 1945, he participated in the Battle for Iwo Jima. In September 1946, he was assigned as the Commanding General, Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California. After being temporarily promoted to Lieutenant General, he became Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic located at Norfolk, Virginia. In July 1949, he was reverted to the rank of Major General and served as Commanding General, Department of the Pacific located at San Francisco, California. In September 1950, he retired and was promoted to Lieutenant General on the retired list. Keller E. Rockey died on 6 June 1970 is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
