Lester Allen Rogers

His Sacrifice for our NationFebruary 23th 1936 - February 28th 1966

Lester Allen Rogers was born February 23th, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri. During his time, Lester would have been familiar with the suburban sprawl the city was facing as well as the booming railroad economy.

Lester graduated from East High School in 1954.

The Bears were famous for their agricultural and horticultural specialties, with a strong R.O.T.C. influence.

Lester attended the United States Army's Officer Candidate School(OCS), located at Fort Benning, Georgia. This prestigious and rigorous course provided training to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.

He arrived in Vietnam on Wednesday December 1st, 1965 and was assigned to the Ninh Thuan Province with MACV Advisory Team 39.

First Lieutenant Lester Rogers received his commission with OCS Class 7-63 at Fort Benning. At age 29 he was older than most, the average was only 22.

February 28th, 1966

After less than three months in Vietnam, he was killed in Ninh Thuan, South Vietnam from hostile gun fire. It was only 5 days after his 30th birthday.

Lester was proud to have served, he gave his life

for his country – a sacrifice we will never

forget. His dedication to America and its people

is breathtaking. He could have taken many ways

out of the war, but instead he chose to serve. He

was leaving behind more than most, a young family

and the future he could have had. Lester’s

decision speaks for itself about the type of

person he was. The reception for the returning

soldiers was harsh, they were largely ostracized

from society, however this is not the way these

heroes should be remembered. We must preserve

their lives in our hearts and minds.

His Memory

Silver Star

Due to the brave acts preceding his death, Lester received a posthumous Silver Star from the President of the United States. This prestigious award bore the following message:

“While on a combat patrol the unit was subjected to heavy

Viet Cong fire from a well prepared ambush position. Though

isolated from the remainder of the group, along with two

other seriously wounded American advisors, Lieutenant Rogers

immediately began placing suppressive fire on the enemy

positions until the hostile fire ceased. After administering

emergency medical treatment and moving his injured comrades

to a safer location, Lieutenant Rogers attempted to locate

the remainder of the patrol. Failing to do so, he returned

to the wounded soldiers and established a small defensive

position. When the insurgent force began the attack once

more, Lieutenant Rogers disregarded his personal safety to

engage the hostile force until he was mortally wounded by

the communist fire.”

Lester was buried on March 11th 1966, Plot B-2361E in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Who was buried in Plot A-2361E, right next to him?His loving wife Jeanette, seven years later.

His name will eternally rest on the Vietnam Veteran’s War Memorial in Washington D.C. on Panel 05E Line 091.

“We may have grown up without you, but not a day went by that your courage and bravery did not influence the persons we were to become.”

-Teresa Jean Rogers Jones, daughter

“You are always in my thoughts. I am so proud of you both as a father and a soldier. I will always love you.”

-Norma Sue Rogers Hersh, daughter

“My father was a special man and an outstanding soldier… Thanks for the time we had.”

-Lester A. Rogers II, son

In Loving Memory…

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Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortleavenworth/3217328163/>. "His Story." 129thinfantrypage.com. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.129thinfantrypage.com/his_story.html>. "History of Kansas City -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Kansas_City>. "Lester Rogers, 1LT, Army, Kansas City MO, 28Feb66 05E091 - The Virtual Wall." Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall - The Virtual Wall (TM). Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.virtualwall.org/dr/RogersLA01a.htm>. "Officer Candidate School (U.S. Army) -." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officer_Candidate_School_(U.S._Army)>. "Vietnam Memorial.com: The Vietnam War. The Vietnam War. The Vietnam War. Vietnam Memorial.com." Vietnam Memorial.com - Vietnam Memorial.com - Vietnam Memorial.com - Vietnam Memorial.com. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.vietnammemorial.com/vietnam-war.html>. Vietnam Product Sourcing. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.vnbd.com/maps/ninh-thuan.jpg>. "Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF): TOC, United States Air Force Ribbons." Vietnam

Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF): An Association for All Vietnam War USAF Air Police / Security Police, and Augmentees. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. <http://www.vspa.com/aspprotect/usaf-medals.asp>.

"Vintage Missouri Postcards - The2Buds." Postcard Supplies - Comic, Trading Card and Collectible Supplies - Vintage Postcards - The2Buds. Web. 29 Mar. 2010.

<http://www.the2buds.com/pcmo.htm>.

Brittany David

March 2010

Crocker 8th

Westlake High School