MSgt. Willie Rogers (April 12, 1915 – November 18, 2016) (WIA) was a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He was shot twice in Italy during World War II.[1]
The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]
Rogers was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He was sent to the European theater of the war, and served in a support role in logistics.[3]
During a mission in Italy in 1943, he was wounded in action. He was shot twice, once in the stomach and once in the leg by German soldiers. Rogers spent several months recovering in a London Hospital.[4]
Rogers arrived at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany shortly after it was liberated by American troops April 29, 1945. He and a contingent of Americans took an inventory of the camp.[5]
Rogers did not tell his family that he was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen until 2012. There is a portrait of Rogers hanging in the St. Petersburg Museum of History.[5][4][6]
Controversyedit
It was reported that Rogers was part of the 100th Fighter Squadron. However after his death historians were unsure about Rogers place in the history of the Tuskegee airmen. In 2017 it was confirmed that he as part of the 96th Air Service Group providing support to the pilots and air crews. Because Rogers never talked about his service until 2012, the story of his participation with the 100th Fighter Squadron was retold over and over.[7]
Rogers was married and had children.[5] He returned to Florida after WWII and opened Rogers’ Radio Sales and Service in St. Petersburg. He was a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.[3] In 2016 at 101 years old Rogers died of a stroke.[4]
^"Willie Rogers, the oldest surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen, dies at 101". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 21, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
^Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
^ abc"Willie Rogers". redtail. CAF Red Tail Squadron. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
^ abcToppo, Greg (November 20, 2016). "Tuskegee Airman dies at 101 after stroke". USA Today. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
^ abcdGuzzo, Paul (November 21, 2016). "Oldest remaining Tuskegee Airman, a St. Petersburg man, dies at 101". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
^Toppo, Greg (November 21, 2016). "Willie Rogers, Tuskegee Airman, dies at 101 after stroke". airforcetimes. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
^Guzzo, Paul (May 2, 2017). "Tampa Bay area Tuskegee Airman deserved name for work he did on the ground". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
Notesedit
^The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[2]
willie, rogers, tuskegee, msgt, willie, rogers, april, 1915, november, 2016, member, famed, group, world, african, americans, known, tuskegee, airmen, shot, twice, italy, during, world, master, sergeantwillie, rogerswillie, rogers, 1943birth, namewillie, roger. MSgt Willie Rogers April 12 1915 November 18 2016 WIA was a member of the famed group of World War II era African Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen He was shot twice in Italy during World War II 1 Master SergeantWillie RogersWillie Rogers in 1943Birth nameWillie N RogersBorn 1915 04 12 April 12 1915Apalachicola Florida U S DiedNovember 18 2016 2016 11 18 aged 101 St Petersburg Florida U S Service wbr branchUnited States Army Air ForceYears of service1942 1945RankMaster sergeantUnit100th Fighter SquadronAwardsCongressional Gold Medal Contents 1 Military service 1 1 Controversy 1 2 Awards 2 Education 3 Personal life 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Notes 6 External linksMilitary service edit nbsp The Tuskegee Airmen s aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name Red Tails N 1 Rogers was drafted into the United States Army in 1942 He was sent to the European theater of the war and served in a support role in logistics 3 During a mission in Italy in 1943 he was wounded in action He was shot twice once in the stomach and once in the leg by German soldiers Rogers spent several months recovering in a London Hospital 4 Rogers arrived at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany shortly after it was liberated by American troops April 29 1945 He and a contingent of Americans took an inventory of the camp 5 Rogers did not tell his family that he was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen until 2012 There is a portrait of Rogers hanging in the St Petersburg Museum of History 5 4 6 Controversy edit It was reported that Rogers was part of the 100th Fighter Squadron However after his death historians were unsure about Rogers place in the history of the Tuskegee airmen In 2017 it was confirmed that he as part of the 96th Air Service Group providing support to the pilots and air crews Because Rogers never talked about his service until 2012 the story of his participation with the 100th Fighter Squadron was retold over and over 7 Awards edit Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006 5 Education editClaflin College of Agriculture and Mechanical Institute 3 Tuskegee Institute 1942 Personal life editRogers was married and had children 5 He returned to Florida after WWII and opened Rogers Radio Sales and Service in St Petersburg He was a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 3 In 2016 at 101 years old Rogers died of a stroke 4 See also editList of Tuskegee Airmen Military history of African Americans The Tuskegee Airmen movie References edit Willie Rogers the oldest surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen dies at 101 Los Angeles Times Associated Press November 21 2016 Retrieved September 23 2019 Rice Markus The Men and Their Airplanes The Fighters Tuskegee Airmen 1 March 2000 a b c Willie Rogers redtail CAF Red Tail Squadron Retrieved September 23 2019 a b c Toppo Greg November 20 2016 Tuskegee Airman dies at 101 after stroke USA Today Retrieved September 23 2019 a b c d Guzzo Paul November 21 2016 Oldest remaining Tuskegee Airman a St Petersburg man dies at 101 Tampa Bay Times Retrieved September 23 2019 Toppo Greg November 21 2016 Willie Rogers Tuskegee Airman dies at 101 after stroke airforcetimes Sightline Media Group Retrieved September 23 2019 Guzzo Paul May 2 2017 Tampa Bay area Tuskegee Airman deserved name for work he did on the ground Tampa Bay Times Retrieved September 23 2019 Notes edit The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P 51s as well as a red rudder their P 51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes with red propeller spinners yellow wing bands and all red tail surfaces 2 External links editTuskegee Airmen at Tuskegee University Tuskegee Airmen Archives at the University of California Riverside Libraries Tuskegee Airmen Inc Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site U S National Park Service Tuskegee Airmen National Museum Fly 2009 play about the 332d Fighter Group Executive Order 9981 List of African American Medal of Honor recipients Military history of African Americans Portals nbsp Biography nbsp United States Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Willie Rogers Tuskegee amp oldid 1225008214, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
