Charles Calvin Rogers US Army officer Date of Birth: 06.09.1929 Country: Germany

Biography of Charles Calvin Rogers

Charles Calvin Rogers, a United States Army officer, was born on September 6, 1929, in Claremont, West Virginia. He served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 and eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1968, during the Vietnam War, Rogers commanded the 1st Battalion of the 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.
Actions in Vietnam

On November 1, 1968, Rogers' battalion was deployed to the Fishhook region near the Cambodian border for fire support. Early in the morning, they came under heavy attack. Despite sustaining multiple injuries, Rogers rallied his men and organized the defense of their base near the artillery. He continued to lead the battalion until the attack was repelled. Rogers refused to seek medical treatment and showed fearlessness in battle, risking his life amidst the hail of shrapnel.
Medal of Honor

Rogers' battalion faced a barrage of mortars, rockets, handheld antitank grenade launchers, and bangalore torpedoes used by the enemy to breach fortifications and penetrate the defended perimeter. After repelling three waves of attack, Rogers commanded the restoration and reinforcement of defensive structures. His courage and heroic example united the soldiers and helped them survive against overwhelming odds.
For his actions during the battle, Lieutenant Colonel Rogers was nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States. His nomination was approved, and on May 14, 1970, President Richard Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to Charles Rogers and eleven other servicemen during a ceremony at the White House.
Later Life and Legacy

Rogers went on to achieve the rank of Major General before retiring from the military. He later became a Baptist minister and served in religious capacities within U.S. military units stationed in Germany. As an African American, he advocated for racial tolerance.
After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Rogers passed away on September 21, 1990, in Munich, Germany, at the age of 61. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, a burial ground primarily reserved for military personnel. Established in 1865, Arlington National Cemetery is located in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. The first graves at Arlington belonged to participants of the Civil War.