DAVID N. ROGERS ’54

REAR ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY (RETIRED)

Rear Admiral Rogers claims that the foundation for his many successes was largely due to his Catholic education and experiences in the cadet program at St. John’s College High School. There, he learned to be polite and to treat people with respect, which later inspired his leadership through faith.

Rogers attended Georgetown University; earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1959; earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, in 1966; and earned an MBA in international business from the University of Southern California. In 1958, while a midshipman, Rogers participated in the US amphibious landing in Lebanon. His first duty was as an instructor of seamanship and navigation at the Naval Academy. Following flight training at Pensacola, Florida, and Beeville, Texas, he reported to Attack Squadron 36, flying the A-4 and deploying twice aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga to the Mediterranean, and later aboard the U.S.S. Lexington during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Following school, Rogers reported to Attack Squadron 125 at Lemoore, California, as an A-4 instructor pilot. He then reported to Attack Squadron 93, deployed aboard the U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard, and later aboard the U.S.S. Ranger in Southeast Asia.

Admiral Rogers flew more than 200 combat missions in Vietnam and was subsequently assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC, as an Aviation Officer Detailer, where he returned to Vietnam for the third time. He later served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Attack Squadron 192, the “World Famous Golden Dragons,” deploying twice aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and flying the A-7E. He then reported again to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, serving as Head of the Subspecialty Development Branch and Head of the Air Combat Placement Branch.

Rogers assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 14 aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise, later deploying aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea. He was then assigned as Air Wing Training Officer at Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He commanded the U.S.S. Okinawa, followed by command of the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. He was next assigned as Chief of Staff to Commander Seventh Fleet. Rogers then served as Deputy Director for Operations, National Military Command Center; Deputy Director for Operations, Current Operations, and Vice Director for Operations, Joint Chiefs of Staff; and as Commander Carrier Group Three and Commander Battle Group Charlie; Deputy Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare); and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Rear.

Rogers has flown 62 different types of military aircraft—16 types from the decks of 17 carriers. He has more than 1,400 carrier landings and more than 5,000 accident-free flight hours. His personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense

Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, 18 awards of the Air Medal with Combat V, five awards of the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Following active duty, he joined Kapos Associates as director of studies for three years, followed by nine years as senior vice president of the Titan Corporation. Rogers has the following advice for graduates of St. John’s College High School who are entering the workforce:

“Know your responsibilities inside and out; be respectful to everyone you work with and help those around you excel in their jobs, and be courageous and stand up for what is right and ethical.”

Rogers keeps in regular contact with classmates (Ed McNamara ’54, in particular) and was instrumental in planning the Class of 1954’s 50th reunion. Before the pandemic, he enjoyed monthly lunches with classmates and hopes to continue this tradition.