Ray Rogers In The Navy

Ray Rogers enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 at the age of 17. His grandmother, Amanda (Mandy) Jane Setzer signed for him to join.

During World War II, he served on the Destroyer USS Bennion.

USS Bennion (DD-662) was commissioned December 14, 1943 and from June 15, 1944 to July 29, 1945 served as a fighter director and radar picket ship during the Saipan seizure, Tinian and Palaus occupation, Leyte invasion (the Battle of Suriago Straits), Mindoro and Lingayen Gulf landings, Iwo Jima invasion and Okinawa seizure. It's interesting to note that the Leyte invasion (also known as the Battle of Leyte Gulf) was the largest naval battle that every took place, then and now. The Bennion received the Presidential Unit Citation for "extraordinary heroism in action" for the Okinawa Campaign, April 1 - June 1, 1945. Also during the Okinawa Campaign the Bennion received a message from Admiral R.K. Turner which stated, "Congratulations on your work. You are keeping up your reputation as the best or nearly the best fighting destroyer out here." She downed thirteen enemy planes, and routed dozens of other potential suicide planes.




Ray Rogers 1945 - Photo used for wedding to Hazel Jones in November 1945.



USS Bennion (DD-662)



Photo on the USS Bennion taken May 10, 1945 during the Okinawa Campaign.
Ray Rogers is the sixth from the left. His best friend, Parker, is behind and to his left.


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