Harold Eugene Rogers
MilitaryS/Sgt. Harold E. Rogers - Gunner/38130337. Sgt. Rogers and "Mister" survived a 25 mission tour with the 8th AF including a ditching in the North Sea. After his tour he returned to the U.S., taking Mister with him, and got assigned to an instructor position. He was dissatisfied with instructing and requested a return to a combat unit. He was sent to the 15th AF in Italy and flew with the 744th BS, 456th BG as a tail gunner in B-24s. He was KIA on 7/2/44. MACR 6438. - by DougSheley093
Air Force Photo
Assigned to 369BS, 306BG, 8AF USAAF. Completed 25 mission tour. on B-17's Took up instructor role in USA, dissatisfied with this role, he volunteered for a 2nd tour this time with the 15AF with 744BS, 456BG. His A/C B-24 42-51077 'Our Mom' on a mission to Budupest was shot up by Fw190's over Hungary, A/C exploded before he could get out. Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 6439
"Harold E Rogers, a Seneca Indian from Miami, Oklahoma was reported missing in action on 3 Jul 1944 when his plane failed to return from a mission over Budapest. Sgt Rogers had flown 25 missions with the 8th Air Force in England and then served as an instructor in the United States for six months. He went back into action, this time with the 15th Air Force, based in Italy. He wore the Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Purple Heart was awarded to him posthumously. He was studying law at the time he entered the service."
"Staff Sgt. Harold Rogers, who had been listed as missing since July 2, 1944, has been declared killed in action, according to word received from his wife by Mrs. Maude Jones, 31 A street northeast, a close friend of the couple. The sergeant, who was born and reared in Tiff City, Mo., and attended grade school there, was graduated from Wyandotte high school. He later attended Chilocco Indian school. Enlisting in the service in May, 1942, he went overseas a year later as a tail gunner on a Flying Fortress, attached to the 8th air force in England. He was accompanied overseas by his dog, "Mister," half chow and half police hound. Together they made 25 missions, once bailing out over the North sea. Rescued, they returned to the United States in May, 1944. At that time they and Mrs. Rogers visited in Miami. Assigned to an airbase as a instructor the veteran was dissatisfied and at his own request was returned to active duty, Mister, left behind, accompanied Mrs. Rogers back to their home in Hollywood, Calif. Sergeant Rogers was assigned this time to the 15th AAF, based in Italy, and was on a mission over enemy-occupied Hungary when attacked by 130‘s (German fighter planes). When the pilot signalled to abandon the crippled plane, he was notified that there were several crew members whose wounds would prevent them making a parachute jump, whereupon he elected to attempt to bring the plane in. The uninjured members of the crew bailed out and a few minutes later the big ship exploded in mid air. The 34-year old former Miamian and motion picture actor was among the victims. He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf clusters. Mrs. Rogers is the former Romear Darling, a graduate of Haskell Institute."
Awards: DFC, AM (9OLC), PH, EAME.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-661979
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot & Co-Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Emperor Jones
- Unit: 456th Bomb Group 744th Bomb Squadron
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Tiff City, McDonald County, MO | 19 August 1914 | |
Enlisted |
Tulsa OK | 29 June 1942 | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Died |
1 July 1944 | ||
Hollywood, CA | Nok: Wife Rosa Marie [Grinnel] Rogers. | ||
Based |
Thurleigh | Assigned to 369BS, 306BG, 8AF USAAF. | |
Based |
Stornara | 1 July 1944 | Assigned to 744BS, 456BG, 15AF USAAF. |
Buried |
Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Miami, Ottawa County, OK | Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma |
Revisions
https://www.fold3.com/image/28990506
https://www.fold3.com/image/310952941
https://www.fold3.com/image/689565863
https://www.fold3.com/image/629962815
https://www.fold3.com/page/638814975/harold-e-rogers
https://www.fold3.com/record/90279016/harold-e-rogers-wwii-army-enlistm…
http://www.b24bestweb.com/ourmom.htm
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64327553/harold-e.-rogers
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / First Over Germany pg. 152, Combat Crews pg 133 & 138,
href="http://www.wwiimemorial.com/registry/wardept/pframe.asp?HonoreeID=10317…">http://www.wwiimemorial.com/registry/wardept/pframe.asp?HonoreeID=10317…;