He distinguished himself in action at the Battle of Fort Blakeley, in Alabama, on April 9, 1865, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor on August 2, 1897.

On June 10, 1885, he was elected a companion of the California Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and was assigned insignia number 3896.

[1] At the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in 1898, Rockefeller, was assigned to mustering duty at Columbus Barracks in Ohio.

On July 30 he was sent to Puerto Rico where he served on the staff of Major General Frederick D. Grant until November 1898 when he returned to the United States.

A Spanish officer, who was rescued from being a captive of the insurgents, reported seeing Rockefeller alive on December 12, 1899.