Willie Rogers passes
Devtun sends us the sad news that 101-year-old Willie Rogers has passed. I verified with our friend, the historian for the Tuskegee Airmen, that Willie was indeed a member of the famed aviators’ unit.
Willie N. Rogers, one of the oldest surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, died Friday from complications of a stroke. He was 101.
The longtime St. Petersburg, Florida , resident was a member of the original 100th Fighter Squadron established during World War II .
He was wounded in action, shot in the stomach and leg by German soldiers, during a mission in Italy in January 1943. Rogers spent three months in a hospital in London before returning to the war, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
One correction to the Air Force Times story, though; Mr Rogers was a member of the 96th Air Services Squadron, not the 100th Fighter Squadron.
Category: Blue Skies
Rest in Peace…
Rest In Peace, Brother.
Catch the tailwind, Mr. Rogers.
May you soar with the Angels, sir. Godspeed.
Sad to hear. Rest now in peace, sir.
RIP
Rest in peace, sir.
And all the while serving honorably in the face of all the hatred and bigotry he faced in his days.
Rest easy, sir. You’ve more than earned it.
A long life, well lived.
RIP Mr. Rogers.
His rest is well-earned. God bless him.
“He was wounded in action, shot in the stomach and leg by German soldiers, during a mission in Italy in January 1943.”
I guess he went on ahead of his unit because it left Virginia in January 1944 and arrived in North Africa later that same month. On 10 February 1944, the 96th Air Service Group arrived in Montecorvino, Italy, to support the 322nd Fighter Group.
I do not ascribe the sullying of Rogers’ record to him but to nitwits (including family and reporters) who think it’s okay to throw in a wound or two for spice.
He was wounded BEFORE he served in the 96 Air Services Squadron.
He enlisted in 1942.
If that info came from anyone BUT YOU, it would at least merit consideration. Also, knucklehead, it wasn’t the “96 Air Services Squadron” but the 96th Air Service Group in which he served.
Rest in peace old warrior.
Long life, lived well. It’s the best any of us can get…good for him and may he rest in a well deserved peace.
Rest In Peace, Warrior. You’ve earned your place in history and Valhalla.
Not to steal another post but on July 2, 2016 Dr. Roscoe Brown also passed away. He was also a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. he shot down a German Me-262 jet fighter and a FW-190 jet fighter. Captain Brown was awarded a DSC. He was also president of Bronx Community College. RIP both gentlemen.
Brown was with the 322nd Fighter Group and Rogers’ unit (96th Air Service Group) was their support. One correction. Brown rec’d the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross, not the DSC (Distinguished Service Cross.)
God rest your soul good sir, rest in peace.
Fair winds and following seas.
Whenever someone passes who had reached the century mark, I can’t help but think of what they saw in their lifetime. Rogers was born in 1915, when Wilson was in office, before the US entered WW I, and while Civil War Vets still marched in parades. He was 30 when WWII ended and nearly 50 when JFK was assassinated. That is some amazing stuff.
I look back on my life, at 61 and I am amazed at the things that I have seen.
We walked on the Moon, fought several wars, built computers and continued to advance the cause of America despite the best that those that bid us harm would use to bring us down a few hundred levels.
I couldn’t imagine what he saw. He was a kid when Orville and Wilbur started flying planes and then he turned one into a hell of a weapon.
The planes were good, but the men that flew them were even better and made them great planes.
Godspeed to all those that served in that horrible conflict.
These men definitely earned their rest…
Thank you…. simply, thank you for all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will always be..
Retired Air Force four star general Seth McKee marked his 100th birthday last month. I believe only two other 4 stars have reached the century mark: GEN John Hines 1868-1968, and GEN James Van Fleet 1892-1992. Yep, these gentleman saw some of the most rapid changes in human history.