Howard E. Rogers was born on October 26, 1913, in Missouri. He served in the 603rd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Top Turret Gunner of B-17 #44-8224 during World War II.

On January 23, 1945, during a bombing mission over Neuss, Germany, the aircraft was struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Heerde, the Netherlands. A direct hit to the right wing caused it to break off, sending the aircraft into an uncontrolled descent. It was last seen entering a split-S maneuver before disappearing into the clouds. Of the ten crew members aboard, nine were killed in action, while the pilot survived and was taken as a prisoner of war.

TSgt Rogers was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Veterans Liberty Cemetery, Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. Howard E. Rogers' name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 3 (right), on Butterfly 23, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org