Harold Eugene Rogers

Military
media-50484.jpeg UPL 50484

S/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

Object Number - UPL 50484 - S/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...

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

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Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-94866) nicknamed "Red Hot Riding Hood" of the 490th Bomb Group at Eye. This aircraft was transferred to the 15th Air Force in December 1944, where it served with the 456th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • 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

Places

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

Harold Eugene Rogers: Gallery (3 items)