THE VEGA ENTERPRISE, THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2008
On March 19, 1945 the USS FRANKLIN CV – 13, and Essex – class aircraft carrier, had moved to within 50 miles of the Japanese mainland, closer than any US carrier had come before to launch a fighter sweep against Honshu and nearby enemy shipping.
Serving aboard the USS FRANKLIN that day was a young sailor from Vega, Texas, Elden Duane Rogers (son of Ansell and Grace Rogers, of whom many of you remember.) Suddenly, out of the clouds appeared a single Japanese aircraft that made a low level bomb run at the carrier. The plane dropped two 550 pound bombs with at least one penetrating the flight deck into the hanger deck causing a great explosion. The second bomb hit further aft penetrating two decks and igniting ammunition and fuel. Seaman 2nd Class Rogers died that day in combat, his 19th birthday. He was buried at sea.
That day there were 724 Navy and Marine personnel killed and 265 wounded.
Let us never forget the sacrifice of Seaman Rogers and the others killed in action that day. His brothers are readers of the Vega Enterprise and I hope they approve of this tribute to their brother.
-David Medlin, Sheriff of Oldham County, Texas
S2, US NAVY, WW II
On March 19, 1945 the USS FRANKLIN CV – 13, and Essex – class aircraft carrier, had moved to within 50 miles of the Japanese mainland, closer than any US carrier had come before to launch a fighter sweep against Honshu and nearby enemy shipping.
Serving aboard the USS FRANKLIN that day was a young sailor from Vega, Texas, Elden Duane Rogers (son of Ansell and Grace Rogers, of whom many of you remember.) Suddenly, out of the clouds appeared a single Japanese aircraft that made a low level bomb run at the carrier. The plane dropped two 550 pound bombs with at least one penetrating the flight deck into the hanger deck causing a great explosion. The second bomb hit further aft penetrating two decks and igniting ammunition and fuel. Seaman 2nd Class Rogers died that day in combat, his 19th birthday. He was buried at sea.
That day there were 724 Navy and Marine personnel killed and 265 wounded.
Let us never forget the sacrifice of Seaman Rogers and the others killed in action that day. His brothers are readers of the Vega Enterprise and I hope they approve of this tribute to their brother.
-David Medlin, Sheriff of Oldham County, Texas
S2, US NAVY, WW II
THE VEGA ENTERPRISE, THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2008
On March 19, 1945 the USS FRANKLIN CV – 13, and Essex – class aircraft carrier, had moved to within 50 miles of the Japanese mainland, closer than any US carrier had come before to launch a fighter sweep against Honshu and nearby enemy shipping.
Serving aboard the USS FRANKLIN that day was a young sailor from Vega, Texas, Elden Duane Rogers (son of Ansell and Grace Rogers, of whom many of you remember.) Suddenly, out of the clouds appeared a single Japanese aircraft that made a low level bomb run at the carrier. The plane dropped two 550 pound bombs with at least one penetrating the flight deck into the hanger deck causing a great explosion. The second bomb hit further aft penetrating two decks and igniting ammunition and fuel. Seaman 2nd Class Rogers died that day in combat, his 19th birthday. He was buried at sea.
That day there were 724 Navy and Marine personnel killed and 265 wounded.
Let us never forget the sacrifice of Seaman Rogers and the others killed in action that day. His brothers are readers of the Vega Enterprise and I hope they approve of this tribute to their brother.
-David Medlin, Sheriff of Oldham County, Texas
S2, US NAVY, WW II
On March 19, 1945 the USS FRANKLIN CV – 13, and Essex – class aircraft carrier, had moved to within 50 miles of the Japanese mainland, closer than any US carrier had come before to launch a fighter sweep against Honshu and nearby enemy shipping.
Serving aboard the USS FRANKLIN that day was a young sailor from Vega, Texas, Elden Duane Rogers (son of Ansell and Grace Rogers, of whom many of you remember.) Suddenly, out of the clouds appeared a single Japanese aircraft that made a low level bomb run at the carrier. The plane dropped two 550 pound bombs with at least one penetrating the flight deck into the hanger deck causing a great explosion. The second bomb hit further aft penetrating two decks and igniting ammunition and fuel. Seaman 2nd Class Rogers died that day in combat, his 19th birthday. He was buried at sea.
That day there were 724 Navy and Marine personnel killed and 265 wounded.
Let us never forget the sacrifice of Seaman Rogers and the others killed in action that day. His brothers are readers of the Vega Enterprise and I hope they approve of this tribute to their brother.
-David Medlin, Sheriff of Oldham County, Texas
S2, US NAVY, WW II
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