Walter Boone Rogers |
USS Oklahoma |
Walter Boone Rogers was born on December 21, 1918 to Edwin B. Rogers and Clara Martha Rogers. Walter went to East Cash School District, but he didn't go to high school. He got a job as a sheepherder in order to help support his family. Walter is remembered by his family as very mild-mannered, tall and handsome. Walter enlisted in the Navy when he was about nineteen. He took his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. After a month's leave, he was assigned to the USS Oklahoma. Walter was killed while lying in his bunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, in the early morning hours. The news of the attack was devastating to his mother and the rest of the family. Walter never married, but he had a girlfriend in the States at the time of his death. His mother did not wish to have a memorial service. The American Legion named their post the Rogers-Smith Post #255 in honor of Walter and Stanley Smith, who was killed soon afterwards. Information provided by Travis Miles and Margaret Root (sister of Walter Rogers). |
