Major Charles E. Rogers enlisted in the Navy after his 17th birthday. While in the Navy he completed Submarine School and earned his “Dolphins.” After his enlistment, Rogers attended IN University. He graduated and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force on May 28th, 1954.

While serving with the 1st Air Commando Squadron at Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam, Major Rogers was shot down and presumed killed. He was flying an A-1e Skyraider during a mission in southern Laos. He is classified as KIA/BNR (Killed In Action/Body Not Recovered).

Rogers had a contagious smile. He lit up a room with it. He loved to help his neighbors and was very handy building things or working on his favorite toy – his 1952 MG TD. Rogers loved his country and his family. He gave his life to protect America, our freedom, and to help bring the same freedom we had to other countries.