GREENFIELD — Ronald Weeks has a message for any surviving friends or relatives of Marine Pfc. William “Billy” Rose: He has a framed memorial of the young man killed in the Korean War, and he would like you to have it.
Weeks, who said he makes cash buying and selling items he finds, was at a tag sale on a recent dreary day when he saw a “Free” sign on a poem and two black-and-white photographs encased behind a glass pane.
“When I see things of this nature, I’m drawn to them,” he said.
Weeks started to examine the item and learned it was a memorial for Billy Rose, who was born May 1, 1932, and died on March 7, 1952. He said he brought his find to Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services and learned that Rose was a Greenfield native killed in action in Korea. This was the start of a mission to reunite the roughly 29¾-inch-by-21¾-inch framed memorial with any of Rose’s surviving loved ones.
“The guy was a hometown boy, No. 1,” Weeks said, explaining his ambition. “No. 2 … this guy gave his life for this country and, to me, he should be honored for that.”
Weeks, himself a 21-year veteran, was explaining his discovery in the front lobby of the Greenfield Recorder when his neighbor Tom Clark, who had stopped by on a business matter, approached Weeks to take a look. The two talked briefly about the memorial and Clark paid kudos to Weeks for his initiative.
“Good luck,” he told Weeks before leaving. “You’re doing a great thing.”
The poem is titled “Marines of Korea.” Its wrenching words describe the hellish conditions of war and the measly compensation service members were given in return for their dedication. There is also a resounding sense of abandonment by their government, referred to as “Uncle Sam.” On the back, there is a piece of tape with a handwritten question — “P. S. How do you like our poem?”
“I don’t think it’s fitting that the thing ends up in the trash,” Weeks said of the framed memorial. “I guess what I would say is if he was my uncle or my great-uncle or whatever, I’d be proud to have the thing displayed in my house.”
One of the black-and-white photographs is presumed to be of Rose in Korea; the other is likely him with a Marine buddy.
According to a profile of Rose on the Korean War Project’s website, the 19-year-old was a member of the 7th Marine Regiment. The website states he is buried at Calvary Cemetery on Wisdom Way, the same street as the house where Weeks found the memorial for free.
Timothy Niejadlik, director of Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans Services, said his agency has a file on Rose that contains a letter from the U.S. Marine Corps regarding Rose’s death. According to information in the file, Rose’s family lived on Conway Street but sold the home in 1956. It is unknown where they moved. Niejadlik said Rose was killed at “The Punchbowl,” the name given to a basin in what is now South Korea.
“It’s important to us that veterans’ remains or belongings get back to somebody (who) can appreciate them,” Niejadlik said.
Weeks said he will try to donate the framed memorial to the Historical Society of Greenfield if no one comes forward.
Rose’s name can be found alongside those of his fellow fallen comrades at the Veterans Mall in Greenfield.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.