The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert Jackson Rogers, Jr. (ASN: 0-735819), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Officer of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 460th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTEENTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 2 April 1944, against enemy targets in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. As pilot of an aircraft participating in a raid over enemy territory, Second Lieutenant Rogers displayed outstanding heroism when his plane was hit by enemy antiaircraft fire and immediately burst into flames. After all the crew were ordered to bail out, one man was unable to do so due to the premature opening of his parachute, whereupon Second Lieutenant Rogers have his parachute to him and ordered him to jump. A few moments after the man had jumped the plane crashed and exploded carrying Second Lieutenant Rogers to his death. The extraordinary devotion to duty and to his fellow man displayed by Second Lieutenant Rogers in the face of grave danger reflect great credit upon himself and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.