James Douglas Rogers
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

James Douglas Rogers was born on 7 October 1936 in Meridian, TX. He attended high school in Meridian and was a member of the 1954 All-District football team and was named best lineman in the district. He was the catcher and co-captain of the baseball team.

In 1953, Jim enlisted in his local U.S. Army reserve unit. In 1955, he enlisted in the Regular Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant. In 1958, he graduated with honors from the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. He then received his first assignment as a platoon leader.

In December 1965, then-Captain James Douglas Rogers was serving as the Senior American Advisor with the 11th Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).

During the period 8-10 December, the 11th Ranger Battalion came under heavy hostile mortar and small arms fire that wounded the battalion commander and his radio operator. After administering first aid, CPT Rogers elected to remain behind to provide fire for the withdrawal of the wounded. While moving to join the remainder of the personnel assigned to the command post, he noticed 4 insurgents attempting a flanking movement. Killing 3 of the insurgents, CPT Rogers was forced to withdraw through a partially-destroyed village and saw the wounded battalion commander lying on the ground exposed to insurgent fire. He shouldered his wounded comrade-in-arms and carried him, under intensive fire, to the battalion medic. While supervising the remainder of the battalion in preparation for withdrawal, CPT Rogers continuously exposed himself to small arms fire. He personally attended the wounded, redistributed ammunition, and inspired both Vietnamese and United States personnel by his courageous actions. CPT Rogers' extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

In addition to his numerous stateside posts, during his 23-year Army career LTC Rogers served in Iceland, Korea and Vietnam and temporarily in England, Norway, Greece, the Middle East, the Panama Canal Zone and Canada. In his final Army assignment prior to retirement, he had duty at the Pentagon in the Office of Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations and the Office of the Chief of Staff.

In 1976, LTC declined a promotion to Colonel and retired from active duty.

Post-Military Life

Rogers became Senior Army Instructor and Commandant of Cadets at San Marcos Baptist Academy in San Marcos, TX, and remained in that position for sixteen years. Rogers later served the school as Assistant Principal and history instructor. He taught at SMBA until 2002, after which he accepted a position at Gary Job Corps working in academics and later in administration.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Navy Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Senior Parachutist Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
Ranger Tab

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) James D. Rogers, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with the 11th Ranger Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Rogers distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous during the period 8 to 10 December 1965. On 8 December, the South Vietnamese ranger battalion to which Captain Rogers was assigned as Senior Advisor, came under heavy hostile mortar and small arms fire which wounded the battalion commander and his radio operator. After administering first aid, Captain Rogers elected to remain behind to provide fire for the withdrawal of the wounded. While moving to join the remainder of the personnel assigned to the command post, he noticed four insurgents attempting a flanking movement. Killing three of the insurgents, Captain Rogers was forced to withdraw through a partially destroyed village. Captain Rogers saw the wounded battalion commander lying on the ground exposed to insurgent fire. Without regard for his own personal safety, he shouldered his wounded comrade-in-arms and carried him, under intensive fire, to the battalion medic. He exposed himself to a continuous hail of small arms fire while supervising the remainder of the battalion in preparation for withdrawal. Captain Rogers personally attended the wounded, redistributed ammunition, and inspired both Vietnamese and United States personnel by his examples of dedication to duty and concern for the welfare of the individual soldier without regard to personal safety. Captain Rogers' extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Pacific, General Orders No. 107 (1966)

Honors

● In 2002, LTC Rogers was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, GA.
● In 2003, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas State University.
● In 2009, San Marcos Baptist Academy built and dedicated the LTC James D. Rogers Challenge Course to honor his memory.

Death and Burial

Lieutenant Colonel James Douglas Rogers died on 4 March 2009. He is buried at Meridian Cemetery in Meridian, Bosque County, TX.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=78737054