Staff Sgt. Harold Rogers Reported Killed in Action (photo) SERGEANT ROGERS WITH 'MISTER'

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 airforce in England. He was accompanied overseas by his dog, "Mister," half chow and half police hound. Togerther 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 signaled 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. (Miami Daily News-Record, Miami, OK, Sunday, Aug. 5, 1945, p. 1, Col. 7-8)

Body of War Hero Arrives in Miami For Rites, Reburial

The body of T/Sgt. Harold E. Rogers, who was killed while serving with the 18th Air force in a mission over Budapest, Hungary, in July, 1944, arrived in Miami Saturday for final rites and reburial. Sergeant Rogers, a resident of Miami during his early school days, was the recipient of the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart, the latter posthumously. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. RaMere Rogers, Hollywood, Calif., and two brothers, Robert Rogers and Hubert Hardy, whose addresses are not known here. Funeral services will be held at the Cooper Funeral home chapel at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Russell Martin will officiate. Miami's Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct a graveside service. Chief Watson Whitewing of the Seneca Indian tribe will be in charge of second graveside ceremony at GAR cemetery. (Miami Daily News-Record, Miami, OK, Sunday January 16, 1949, p. 1, Col. 6)∼Burial Date: 1/8/1949

*******************************************

***I would like to thank mokennehan Find A Grave ID 47119719 for creating this memorial in addition to adding the newspaper articles to it***

***I would like to thank Al Skiff Find A Grave ID 49788721 for adding his photo of Harold to this memorial***

***I would like to thank Mike Serpa Find A Grave ID 48090660 for adding his photo of Harold to this memorial***

***I would like to thank patootie Find A Grave ID 47974602 for adding their photo to this memorial***

***I would like to thank Judy K. Roberts Find A Grave ID 47187185 for adding her gravesite photo to this memorial***

***I would like to thank Anonymous Find A Grave ID 48927785 for adding their photo to this memorial***

***I would like to thank jps Find A Grave ID 48920758 for adding the bio information below in addition to updating the middle name on it***

On 2 July 1944, on a mission to the Shell Oil Refinery in Budapest, B-24 #42-51077 "Emperor Jones" (744th Bomb Squadron, 456th Bomb Group), was attacked by Focke-Wulf 190 German fighters. The pilot signalled the crew to abandon the crippled plane, but was notified that there were several wounded crew members that could not make a parachute jump; he attempted to bring the plane in. The uninjured members of the crew bailed out of the plane and a few minutes later the B-24 exploded in mid-air.

1st Lt Edward C Jones, Jr. :: Pilot, KIA

2nd Lt Vittorio O Russo :: Co-pilot, POW

2nd Lt Benjamin W Grant :: Navigator, POW

2nd Lt Joseph Ralph Woll :: Bombardier, KIA

SSgt Jack Franklin Bonifield :: Radio Operator, POW

SSgt Joseph Frederick Miller :: Flight Engineer, POW

SSgt Joseph M L Michaud :: Photographer, POW

TSgt Ferrel Eugene Daniel :: Top Turret Gunner, POW

TSgt Harold Eugene Rogers :: Gunner, KIA

Sgt (RAF) Walter John Rogers, Jr :: Gunner, KIA

MSgt James T Sanford :: Gunner, KIA

[Source: American Air Museum in Britain online]