Navy Federal Credit Union

Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Bernard William Rogers, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1 October 1976 to 21 June 1979. The distinctive accomplishments of General Rogers reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    North Atlantic Treaty Organization

    Action Date:

    July 1979 – June 1987

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Supreme Allied Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, from July 1979 to June 1987.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 10, 1967

    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4124 (August 14, 1967)

    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 Brigadier General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), 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 Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division. Brigadier General Rogers distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 10 March 1967 while serving as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division during a Viet Cong attack on a Vietnamese Special Forces camp at Cau Song Be. Upon being notified that the Vietnamese camp was under attack, he immediately flew to the area. General Rogers made several low helicopter passes over the besieged camp, despite intense hostile fire, to investigate the strength and disposition of the Viet Cong forces. He alerted nearby artillery and aircraft bases and then landed in the beleaguered camp amidst an enemy mortar barrage. He conferred with the ground commander, assessed the battle situation, and mapped a plan of defense. Exposing himself constantly to the insurgents’ fire, he supervised the positioning of the defenders on the perimeter and adjusted artillery and air strikes. General Rogers’ willingness to risk his life for the Vietnamese soldiers and their camp inspired the men to fight with renewed vigor. Returning to his helicopter, he made additional passes over the area to further assess the situation and to ensure that the Viet Cong positions had not changed. Flying at extremely low levels, he accurately marked the enemy concentrations with smoke grenades to aid incoming support aircraft in locating their targets. However, the fighter pilots were unable to see the smoke well enough because of the darkness and dense jungle foliage. General Rogers directed his pilot to maneuver over the insurgents at minimum altitude while the door gunner marked the targets with tracer rounds from his machine gun, enabling the supporting aircraft to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. When the Viet Cong broke contact and began to retreat, General Rogers directed additional air strikes on them, inflicting further casualties. His dynamic leadership, outstanding tactical ability and unparalleled courage were responsible for the overwhelming defeat of the insurgent forces. Brigadier General Rogers’ extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    North Atlantic Treaty Organization

    Action Date:

    July 1979 – June 1987

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Bernard William Rogers, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Supreme Allied Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, from July 1979 to June 1987. The distinctive accomplishments of General Rogers reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    U.S. Military Academy

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1969

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant of Cadets, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, from 1967 to 1969.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    North Atlantic Treaty Organization

    Action Date:

    July 1979 – June 1987

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Supreme Allied Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, from July 1979 to June 1987.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1966

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, in 1966.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    North Atlantic Treaty Organization

    Action Date:

    July 1979 – June 1987

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Supreme Allied Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, from July 1979 to June 1987.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Action Date:

    1962 – 1966

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1962 to 1966.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    December 11, 1966

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. ??? (February 6, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Bernard William Rogers (ASN: 0-25867), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 11 December 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam. During the late morning hours General Rogers was flying in his command and control helicopter when he was notified that a friendly platoon had been engaged by a Viet Cong company near Suoi Da. General Rogers immediately instructed his pilot to proceed to the battle area. He quickly made an aerial reconnaissance and, comprehending the tactical situation, radioed for reinforcing elements to be air lifted into the location. General Rogers directed the landing of his helicopter in the unsecured area in order to implement and coordinate the stratagem he had devised. Next, General Rogers ordered the clearing of the most suitable ground for a landing zone. Due to General Rogers’ planning and supervision, the integration of the reinforcing elements with troops already deployed was accomplished with precise coordination. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he ignored the intense hostile fire and fearlessly moved about the area of conflict issuing directives, maintaining fire discipline and supervising the evacuation of the wounded. His dynamic personality infused new vigor and determination into his men. General Rogers’ brilliant employment of the infantry forces was of singular importance in this mission and resulted in the overwhelming defeat of the Viet Cong. Brigadier General Rogers’ unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.