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Charles Calvin Rogers

Updated: Wikipedia source

Charles Calvin Rogers

Charles Calvin Rogers (September 6, 1929 – September 21, 1990) was a recipient of the highest military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Vietnam War. A lieutenant colonel at the time, he became the highest-ranking Black soldier in the U.S. military to receive this honor. A career officer who entered the service as a second lieutenant commissioned by ROTC when the military was still racially segregated, he retired after 32 years in the United States Army with the rank of major general.

Infobox

Born
(1929-09-06)September 6, 1929Claremont, West Virginia, US
Died
September 21, 1990(1990-09-21) (aged 61)Munich, West Germany
Place of burial
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance
United States
Branch
United States Army
Years of service
1952–1984
Rank
Major general
Commands
1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment
Battles / wars
Vietnam War
Awards
Medal of HonorLegion of MeritDistinguished Flying CrossBronze Star (4)with V DevicePurple HeartAir Medal (10)Army Commendation Medal (4)Parachutist Badge
Other work
Baptist minister
Service years
1952–1984

Tables

· Awards and decorations
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
Army Parachutist Badge
Medal of Honor
Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
Army Parachutist Badge
Legion of Merit
Army Parachutist Badge
Distinguished Flying Cross
Army Parachutist Badge
Bronze Starwith Combat V and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
Army Parachutist Badge
Purple Heart
Army Parachutist Badge
Air Medalwith bronze oak leaf cluster and Award numeral 8
Army Parachutist Badge
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medalwith three bronze oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medalwith three bronze oak leaf clusters
Army Parachutist Badge
Army Commendation Medalwith three bronze oak leaf clusters
Army Parachutist Badge
Army of Occupation Medal
Army Parachutist Badge
National Defense Service Medalwith bronze oak leaf cluster
Vietnam Service Medalwith one silver and two bronze campaign stars
Vietnam Service Medalwith one silver and two bronze campaign stars
Army Parachutist Badge
Vietnam Service Medalwith one silver and two bronze campaign stars
Army Parachutist Badge
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order2nd class
Army Parachutist Badge
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Army Parachutist Badge
Medal of Honor
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Starwith Combat V and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Purple Heart
Air Medalwith bronze oak leaf cluster and Award numeral 8
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medalwith three bronze oak leaf clusters
Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medalwith bronze oak leaf cluster
Vietnam Service Medalwith one silver and two bronze campaign stars
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order2nd class
Vietnam Campaign Medal
· Awards and decorations
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation

References

  1. ANC Explorer
    https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZyb2dlcnMSB2NoYXJsZXM-/
  2. Congressional Medal of Honor Society
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250117111359/https://www.cmohs.org/news-events/medal-of-honor-recipient-profile/charles-calvin-rogers/
  3. United States Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936–2007
    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KSX-KS98
  4. United States, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5KB-GP2
  5. United States, Census, 1940
    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7C9-LGD
  6. Military Times
    https://www.militarytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2021/01/28/maj-gen-charles-c-rogers-talent-through-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
  7. Public Opinion
    https://www.newspapers.com/image/994822203/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjk5NDgyMjIwMywiaWF0IjoxNzQyMTUwNjY2LCJleHAiOjE3NDIyMzcwNjZ9.irFKTQbWrG4PCS-rE6NqszIFgC7LOwl5j99zWFnGkP8&clipping_id=168122581
  8. www.nps.gov
    https://www.nps.gov/places/dubois-high-school.htm
  9. The Herald-Dispatch
    https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/man-who-earned-medal-of-honor-rose-to-rank-of-general-grew-up-in-new/article_9496fd1d-7589-5a54-841f-c1916cb02354.html
  10. Fiscal Year 1983 Military Construction
    https://books.google.com/books?id=gAjWAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22charles+calvin+rogers%22&pg=PA144
  11. "3rd District Military Honors"
    https://3rddistrictques.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Omega-Post-Conclave-Sep-2018-FINAL-1.pdf
  12. Daily Press
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-medal-of-honor-winner-must/168129969/
  13. www.army.mil
    https://www.army.mil/article/212334/field_artillery_veterans_dedicate_plaque_during_reunion
  14. African American recipients of the Medal of Honor: a biographical dictionary, Civil War through Vietnam War
    https://lccn.loc.gov/2002006974
  15. The Free Lance-Star
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-free-lance-star-black-medal-of-honor/168126837/
  16. El Paso Times
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/el-paso-times-rotc-attracting-more-femal/168124919/
  17. "A Soldier's Story: Major General Charles Calvin Rogers"
    https://www.everydaypatriot.com/2018/10/a-soldiers-story-major-general-charles-calvin-rogers.html
  18. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/lubbock-avalanche-journal-general-slated/168124538/
  19. The Daily Progress
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-progress-enrollment-increases/168127907/
  20. Soldiers
    https://books.google.com/books?id=wig8ZeG9n7QC&dq=%22charles+calvin+rogers%22&pg=PA45
  21. United States Department of Defense
    https://www.war.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2824721/medal-of-honor-monday-army-maj-gen-charles-calvin-rogers/
  22. West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250316183448/https://veterans.wv.gov/mhof/medal-honor/Pages/Charlescalvinrogers.aspx
  23. Congressional Medal of Honor Society
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250117124519/https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/charles-c-rogers
  24. LTC Charles C. Rogers - Vietnam Medal of Honor Hero on YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IQuCbl7fUDQWzja
  25. Corpus Christi Caller-Times
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times-dont-expect/168154620/
  26. tempveterans.wv.gov
    https://tempveterans.wv.gov/facilities/Pages/Beckleynursing.aspx
  27. West Virginia MetroNews
    https://wvmetronews.com/2023/10/23/officials-break-ground-announce-name-of-future-veterans-nursing-facility-in-beckley/
  28. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/16/defense-department-black-medal-of-honor-veteran
  29. Newsweek
    https://www.newsweek.com/charles-c-rogers-black-medal-honor-removed-dei-2045741
  30. United States Department of Defense
    https://www.war.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2002881403/
  31. Military.com
    https://www.military.com/history/highest-ranking-black-medal-of-honor-recipient-erased-pentagon-dei-purge.html
  32. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/17/defense-department-black-medal-honor-webpage-restored
  33. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/2025/03/17/nx-s1-5330848/defense-pentagon-black-medal-of-honor-charles-rogers
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