BRANDON, MS, US
U.S. Marine Corps
SSGT, 2D CEB, (1ST CEB, II MEF FWD), 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
04/07/2011, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Staff Sergeant Jason A. Rogers was born on 9 April 1982 in Brandon, Mississippi. He joined the Marine Corps on 3 March 2003 and attended recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduation then Private First Class Rogers attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger and Basic Engineer School both aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
After completing his initial training Private First Class Rogers reported for duty with 3rd Combat Assault Battalion (3rd CAB), Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan in September of 2003. While assigned to 3rd CAB and serving as a Combat Engineer, Lance Corporal Rogers deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and participated in Operation Phantom Fury with both Regimental Combat Teams 1 and 7. In September of 2005 once his tour was completed at 3rd Combat Assault Battalion Lance Corporal Rogers transferred to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In March of 2007 Corporal Rogers deployed for the second time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 15 Jan 2008 Sgt Rogers transferred to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division for duty as Combat Engineer and Squad Leader. While serving in 2d Combat Engineer Battalion Staff Sergeant Rogers deployed with Alpha Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In June of 2010 Sergeant Rogers transferred to Charlie Company, 2d Combat Engineer Battalion and immediately began preparation for his second tour in Afghanistan.
On 23 February 2011 Staff Sergeant Rogers deployed to Afghanistan as platoon guide with 3rd platoon, Charlie Company in direct support of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. In late March 2011 Staff Sergeant Rogers was selected to supervise a squad of combat engineers from 3rd platoon in a combined operation including route clearance elements from Mobile Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and a Company from the 32nd Georgian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8. Staff Sergeant Rogers and his squad conducted several days of rehearsal in preparation for the mission and on 4 April 2011 departed for the Ladaar Bazaar in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. On 7 April 2011 several Marines from Mobile Assault Company we struck and injured by and Improvised Explosive Device (IED). While the Marines reacted to the mass casualty, Staff Sergeant Rogers and his squad remained in place providing security as they were surrounded by confirmed IED’s emplacements. An IED near Staff Sergeant Rogers’s squad detonated seriously injuring two of his Marines. Without hesitation Staff Sergeant Rogers attended his Marines and began performing first aid. When it came time to move the injured Marines to be medically evacuated, Staff Sergeant Rogers immediately picked up a Vallon metal detector and swept ahead of the Marines being evacuated, clearing their way. As he swept the path clear for his Marines Staff Sergeant Rogers located an IED and subsequently the IED that SSgt Rogers confirmed took his life.
Staff Sergeant Rogers personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (4) Gold Stars and the Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star.
Staff Sergeant Rogers is survived by his wife, Angela R. Rogers.
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