Donald Cox Rogers
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

In October 1952, Sergeant First Class Donald Cox Rogers was serving as a Platoon Sergeant with an Infantry Company of the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 31 October, SFC Rogers' unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, North Korea. SFC Rogers voluntarily joined the lead element of an allied counter-attack force that was committed to assaulting and securing a strategic position overrun earlier by the enemy. SFC Rogers urged the squad, consisting mostly of replacements without combat experience, forward until the squad leader was seriously wounded. After assuming command of the squad, SFC Rogers reorganized the men and continued the advance until they were pinned down and dispersed by accurate, heavy small-arms fire from a hostile bunker close to their position. SFC Rogers moved from his covered position as the enemy rolled grenades down on him and, although seriously wounded, attacked the bunker and killed its occupants. After regrouping the men, SFC Rogers led them forward until the squad was halted a second time by enemy fire from another bunker further up the slope. SFC Rogers again rose to charge the enemy position but was mortally wounded while advancing. Although dying, SFC Rogers continued to fire his carbine and offer words of encouragement, inspiring his men to press forward. SFC Rogers' courageous actions and inspiring leadership earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Donald C. Rogers (ASN: ER-21262205), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in an Infantry Company of the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Sergeant First Class Rogers distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Kumhwa, Korea, on 31 October 1952. On that date, Sergeant Rogers voluntarily joined the lead element of an allied counter-attack force which was committed to assaulting and securing a strategic position overrun earlier by the enemy. Sergeant Rogers urged the squad, comprised mostly of replacements inexperienced in battle, forward until the squad leader was seriously wounded. Immediately assuming command of the squad, Sergeant Rogers reorganized the men and continued the advance until they were pinned down and dispersed by accurate and heavy small-arms fire from a hostile bunker in close proximity their position. Disregarding all thoughts of personal safety, Sergeant Rogers moved from his covered position while the enemy rolled grenades down on him and, although seriously wounded, attacked the bunker and killed its occupants. After regrouping the men, Sergeant Rogers led them forward but the squad was halted a second time by enemy fire from another bunker further up the slope. Displaying the same courageous leadership, Sergeant Rogers rose to charge the enemy position but was mortally wounded while advancing. Although dying, Sergeant Rogers continued to fire his carbine and offer words of encouragement, inspiring his men to press forward.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 617 (June 30, 1953)

Burial

Sergeant First Class Donald Cox Rogers is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mattapan, Suffolk County, MA.

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