Navy Federal Credit Union

Edward Rogers was born in Larobe, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Latrobe High school in 1923. In 1927 he graduated from Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, and in 1930 he graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He was ordained a Lutheran minister, and from 1930 to 1931 pastored the First Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh, and then became pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Franklin, serving for five years. He became pastor of First Lutheran Church in Warren, Pennsylvania in 1936, and served there until 1952, with the exception of the period from 1942 to 1945 when he took a leave of absence to serve as a U.S. Army chaplain in World War II. After the war, he returned to his parish. He also served for ten years as Secretary of Evangelism in Stewardship for the Pittsburgh Synod of the United Lutheran Church, and was assistant to the president of the former Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia of the Lutheran Church in America from 1963 to 1970. He also served on the director’s committee for chaplains of the United Lutheran Church in American, and later as a director of the Foundation of the Lutheran Church in America.

Awards Received

  • Soldier’s Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain)

    Regiment:

    18th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    August 3 – 4, 1944

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 17 (March 26, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Captain (Chaplain) Edward K. Rogers (ASN: 0-475766), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving as a Chaplain with Headquarters, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action in France, on 3 – 4 August 1944. When his battalion’s bivouac area was bombed and strafed by enemy aircraft and a number of civilians were trapped in the debris of destroyed and burning buildings, Chaplain Rogers fearlessly entered the burning structures, and although they were blazing fiercely, he continued to assist in the work of extricating wounded and trapped French personnel. The exemplary courage and heroism displayed by Chaplain Rogers reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    18th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    September 3, 1944

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 154 (August 14, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Edward Keil Rogers (ASN: 0-475766), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Chaplain with Headquarters, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Flanders, France, on 3 September 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    18th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 17, 1944

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 52 (July 29, 1944)

    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 Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Edward K. Rogers (ASN: 0-475766), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 17 June 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Regiment:

    18th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    World War II

    Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 65 (November 26, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Edward Keil Rogers (ASN: 0-475766), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in Sicily during the period from July through October 1943. During a bitterly fought engagement with the enemy, Chaplain Rogers learned that extremely heavy enemy artillery fire had resulted in numerous casualties to our men. He immediately obtained a vehicle and proceeded through the enemy barrage to the aid of the wounded, remaining in this forward area after our forces had withdrawn until certain that everyone had been evacuated. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.