Service/branch Aviation Unit No. 1 Squadron RAF | Name William Rogers Rank Captain | |
Died January 11, 1967, Saint John, Canada | ||
Captain William Wendell Rogers (10 November 1896 – 11 January 1967) was a World War I flying ace credited with nine aerial victories. He singlehandedly shot down a Gotha G bomber.
Rogers was appointed a Flying Officer on 25 April 1917. On 12 July 1917, he scored the first of a run of six "out of control" victories over enemy Albatros fighter planes, with the string ending 29 October 1917. On 18 November 1917 he was appointed Flight Commander.
On 12 December 1917, he shot down a huge Gotha G bomber piloted by German Blue Max winner Hauptmann Rudolf Kleine, killing Kleine and his three crew members.
Rogers went on to two additional "out of control" victories, with his last win coming on 18 December 1917.
Honors and awards
Military Cross (MC)
2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) William Wendell Rogers, R.F.C., Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in shooting down seven enemy aeroplanes, and on two occasions attacking enemy troops with machine gun fire from very low altitudes. He proved himself a daring patrol leader. (Supplement to the London Gazette, 5 July 1918) (30780/7922)