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Felix
Michael
Rogers
July 6, 1921

–

April 23, 2014

Born:

Somerville

, 

Massachusetts

Home:

Somerville

, 

Massachusetts

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

During World War II, Felix Rogers became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1978 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    August 1975 – February 1978

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of 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, culminating as Commander of Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, from August 1975 until February 1978. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Rogers culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 8, 1944
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 267 (November 13, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as Pilot of a P-51 Mustang Fighter Airplane of the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action on 8 May 1944. While serving as pilot of a P-51 type aircraft participating in a bomber-escort mission to Berlin, Major Rogers, together with his wingman attacked a large number of enemy aircraft which menaced the bombers. After his wingman had received severe battle damage, forcing him to break from the attack, Major Rogers continued to engage the superior enemy numbers alone, and in a fearless display of flying technique, maneuvered with them until they were forced to disperse. Later, he demonstrated unusual bravery in intercepting three enemy aircraft which were attacking a crippled bomber, destroying one and dispersing the remainder. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Rogers, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 98 (April 11, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations having participated in the required number of operational sorties against the enemy during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    353d Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    354th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 7, 1944
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 267 (November 13, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations. On 7 July 1944, Captain Rogers engaged a superior force of enemy aircraft and vigorously pressed home his attack, destroying two enemy aircraft. The outstanding courage, superb aerial proficiency, and deep devotion to duty displayed by Captain Rogers on this occasion is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1970 – July 26, 1971
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-133 (March 3, 1972)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to General Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Rogers distinguished himself as Senior Member, United States Command Military Armistice Commission, and Special Assistant for Armistice Affairs, from 23 July 1970 to 26 July 1971. General Rogers conducted negotiations with the Korean Peoples Army, Chinese Peoples Volunteers and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission during a period of rapidly changing national and international policy. Whether negotiating major proposals or one of the recurring violations of the Demilitarized Zone, General Rogers presented the United Nations position in a calm, reasoned manner, displaying great poise and assurance under the most trying of circumstances. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Rogers and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    July 1961 – May 1962
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order G-90 (October 5, 1962)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy for Operations Center Activities, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs), from July 1961 to May 1962. In this important assignment, the extraordinary intelligence, professional competence and keen understanding of high level political-military policy issues exhibited by Colonel Rogers contributed immeasurably to the security and defense activities of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Rogers and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    September 1, 1966 – July 1, 1970
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-549 (July 9, 1970)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Rogers distinguished himself as Deputy Chief of Staff, Development Plans, Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, from 1 September 1966 to 1 July 1970. During this period, General Rogers’ dynamic drive, outstanding leadership, and unusual professional ability were major factors in significantly improving the credibility of proposals for new Air Force system and equipment concepts. Through his true professionalism, outstanding personal dedication, logical counsel and enthusiastic advocacy at the highest levels in the Department of Defense, General Rogers has made an exceptional and far-reaching contribution to improving the military posture of the Air Force, and the security of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Rogers and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    February 27, 1963 – June 15, 1966
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order G-161 (June 16, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, The Secretariat, Office of the Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters, United States Air Force, from 27 February 1963 to 15 June 1966. Through his diligence and outstanding management ability, he brought about a reorganization of the Air Force Board Structure which resulted in a sizeable reduction in support personnel and a major improvement in the efficiency of the organization. His ability to communicate complex ideas, and his extraordinary management skills have been instrumental in improving the Air Force postures during this period. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Rogers and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    November 1, 1973 – September 1, 1975
    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-925 (November 15, 1977

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Felix Michael Rogers (ASN: 0-744759), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of 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 Commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, from 1 November 1973 to 1 September 1975. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Rogers and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.