WILLIAM C. ROGERS, CAPT, USMC
William Rogers '69
Lucky Bag
From the 1969 Lucky Bag:
WILLIAM CLIFFORD ROGERS
Hughesville, Pennsylvania
Bill entered the Academy immediately following his graduation from high school in Hughesville, Pennsylvania. Being a Marine junior he was not particularly surprised at the rigors of the transition from the civilian to the military way of life. He made a determined effort during his four years to keep abreast of the social life, maintain the "good life", and keep his realistic perspective — even though his policy at times conflicted with that of the Executive Department. Bill's personal interests ranged from quick cars and the outdoors to the opposite sex. His abilities and common sense will make him an outstanding officer in the years to come, and his friendly personality will make him a great man with whom to serve.
WILLIAM CLIFFORD ROGERS
Hughesville, Pennsylvania
Bill entered the Academy immediately following his graduation from high school in Hughesville, Pennsylvania. Being a Marine junior he was not particularly surprised at the rigors of the transition from the civilian to the military way of life. He made a determined effort during his four years to keep abreast of the social life, maintain the "good life", and keep his realistic perspective — even though his policy at times conflicted with that of the Executive Department. Bill's personal interests ranged from quick cars and the outdoors to the opposite sex. His abilities and common sense will make him an outstanding officer in the years to come, and his friendly personality will make him a great man with whom to serve.
Loss
William was lost on September 27, 1973 when the F-4 Phantom he was piloting crashed during landing at Capodichino Airport, Naples, Italy. His radar intercept officer was also killed; they were members of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. They were participating in a NATO exercise.
Other Information
From the March 1974 issue of Shipmate:
Capt. William Clifford Rogers, USMC, died on 27 September in Naples, Italy.
Capt. Rogers, born in Camp Lejeune, N.C. graduated from the Naval Academy in 1969. His first duty assignment after graduation was to the Marine Corps Basic Officer School in Quantico, Va. Upon completion of the Basic course he reported for Air Force flight training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Tex., where he was awarded his Air Force Wings. He then reported to Cherry Point, N.C., for Marine Aviation transition training and then for further training in the F-4 Phantom. At the time of the aircraft accident which caused his death he was attached to VMFA 251, but was serving temporary duty with VMFA 333.
He is survived by his widow, Sandra, Laurel Bay, SC; and his parents, LCol. and Mrs. Harry J. Rogers, Jr.
From Howard Bacharach '69 on January 4, 2019:
Following graduation, Bill reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia with Class 2-70 in August 1969. Upon graduation from TBS in January 1970, Bill proceeded to Air Force flight school at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas, one of the Marine Corps jet training options at that time. Upon graduation from flight school in 1971, Bill reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251), Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, for transition to the F-4 Phantom II. In 1973 Bill reported to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251), Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina. He died along with his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in a landing accident on 27 September 1974 while deployed to Naples, Italy with VMFA-333.
He was a a 1965 graduate of Hughesville HS, Pennsylvania.
William is buried in Picture Rocks Cemetery, Pennsylvania.
Photographs
1969 Drum and Bugle Corps
Remembrances
From "The Legacy of the Class of 1969":
Following graduation and nearly two months of leave, Bill reported to The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, where he was a member of Bravo Company, TBS 2-70.
Bill, desirous of jets, worked hard in the classroom, and with his native skills in the field from years of hunting, fishing and camping, achieved an admirable class standing that allowed him to choose the Air Force jet training program.
Weekends were spent in Manassas, Virginia at the drag strip, pushing his 1953 Hudson Hornet closer and closer to the speed of sound.
Finishing Quantico in January 1970, Bill reported to Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas.
By eye witness accounts, his weekends were spent shooting rabbits with nights drinking beer from the nearby border cantina. Sandee, his ever patient and supportive wife, could only sit back and smile.
After flight school, Bill reported to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. By this time Bill had swapped his Hudson Hornet for a drag-ready light blue 1970 Chevrolet Camaro.
Bill was killed along with his Radar Intercept Officer in an F-4 operational accident in Naples, Italy on September 27, 1974. Sandee was pregnant with their daughter Billee at the time.
Memorial Hall Error
The funeral notice for William gives his rank as Captain, as does the Register of Alumni and the March 1974 issue of Shipmate. Memorial Hall has 1LT.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
