Jack Allen Rogers

Master Sergeant Jack A. Rogers was born in Mendota, Illinois, in 1930 and was raised in Enid, Oklahoma. Rogers left high school to voluntarily enlist in the US Army in September 1947, serving alongside his two brothers.

On 12 February 1951, while serving as a tank commander with the 38th Infantry Regiment, Tank Company, near Hoengsong, Korea, Rogers displayed extraordinary gallantry against an armed Communist enemy force of more than 600. When the enemy force feigned surrender under a white flag, the regimental security platoon and its supporting tanks approached to take the surrender. After shaking hands, the enemy commenced a surprise attack against the American United Nations force. As the American unit withdrew, the security platoon leader was seriously wounded. Rogers maneuvered his tank forward to rescue the officer. As Rogers carried him, both men were struck by enemy fire, mortally wounding the officer and seriously wounding Rogers. Despite his own wounds, Rogers brought the officer back to his tank and they were evacuated to safety. For his selfless devotion and courage, Rogers was awarded the Silver Star.

Following assignments in Japan, Korea, Germany, and Kansas, Rogers served in Vietnam, 1966-1967, with the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, as the S-5 Plans NCO and was awarded a Meritorious Bronze Star. His other military awards include the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

After military retirement in 1968, Rogers continued his connection to the American armed forces, working for 27 years as a federal contractor at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, retiring in 1995. In addition to his distinguished military career, Rogers was a published writer and poet. MSG Rogers passed away in 2018 and rests in Memorial Park Cemetery, Enid, Oklahoma.