Jonathan Rogers (GC) explained

Jonathan Rogers
Birth Date:16 September 1920
Birth Place:Llangollen, Wales
Death Place:Off the coast of New South Wales
Placeofburial:Jervis Bay
Nickname:"Buck"
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Australia
Branch:Royal Navy
Royal Australian Navy
Serviceyears:1938–46
1950–64
Rank:Chief Petty Officer
Battles:
Awards:George Cross
Distinguished Service Medal

Jonathan Rogers, (16 September 1920 – 10 February 1964) was a Welsh-born sailor and an Australian recipient of the George Cross, awarded for the heroism he displayed on the night of 10 February 1964 during the sinking of .

Early life

Rogers was born in Llangollen, Wales, joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for the "coolness and leadership" he showed while serving as coxswain of Motor Torpedo Boat 698 in action in May 1944. 'Buck' emigrated to Australia after the war and joined the Royal Australian Navy, serving in the Korean War.

George Cross

He was serving aboard the destroyer when, during exercises, it was struck and sliced in half by the aircraft carrier . Rogers, along with more than 50 other men, was trapped in the sinking forward part of the stricken destroyer.

Making no attempt to save himself, he helped as many men as possible escape through a small escape hatch and, as the compartment sank ten minutes later, was heard leading his trapped comrades in a prayer and hymn as they met their fate, as his citation said, with 'dignity and honour'.[1] [2]

Honours and awards

Ribbon Description Notes
George Cross (GC) gazetted 1965
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) gazetted 1944
with FRANCE AND GERMANY clasp
23 January 2014[3]
23 January 2014
23 January 2014
23 January 2014
23 January 2014
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
(Malaysia) 23 January 2014

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fifty Australians – Buck Rogers . 20 March 2009 . Australian War Memorial. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607054005/http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/fiftyaustralians/40.asp. 7 June 2011.
  2. Web site: Award of George Cross – Rogers . 20 March 2009 . It's An Honour (Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221246/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1073762&search_type=advanced&showInd=true. 3 March 2016.
  3. VCDF_Australia. VADM Ray Griggs. 426321953428103168. 23 January 2014. Presenting additional medals to daughters of CPO Jonathan Rogers GC, DSM – now 1 of our most decorated @AWMemorial.