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Contact Info
Home Town Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Last Address Burial At Sea Ceremony for Vice Admiral Bertram Joseph Rodgers. January 4th, 1984 on board the USS JUNEAU (LPD 10) Station Ship's company, firing detail, pall/flag bearers and honor platoon. Officer's Call-"All hands bury the dead."
Vice Admiral Bertram Joseph Rodgers 40 years, U.S.N. Retired Buried At Sea
January 4th, 1984, USS JUNEAU (LPD 10)
Bertram Joseph Rodgers was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 19, 1894. His long and distinguished naval service began with his appointment to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1912. He was commissioned Ensign in June 1916. From there he went to serve aboard the battleship USS SOUTH CAROLINA in the Atlantic Fleet during WW1. He then served aboard the submarine H-4 and commanded the USS H-8 and the R-8. Next, he served as Engineer and repair Officer at the submarine base, Coco Solo in the Canal Zone. He served as the Executive Officer aboard the USS V-3 which was later named the USS BONITA. In 1927, after instruction in Lighter-than-air craft, he was designated Naval Aviator [LTA] and served on the airships LOS ANGELES, AKRON and MACON.
In 1934 he assumed command of the destroyer USS BLAKELY followed by duty as Port Captain, Balboa, Panama Canal Zone; Commanding Officer of the destroyer leader USS SELFRIDGE: as assignment to the War Plans Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, DC; and duty at Headquarters, Commander in Chief, US Fleet, Washington, DC.
On January, 1943 he assumed command of the cruiser USS SALT LAKE CITY where he was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces. In the Fall of 1943 he was assigned duty as Senior United States Planning Officer of the staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Southeast Asia, as a Commodore. For his service in this assignment he was awarded the Army Legion of Merit.
He assumed duty in April, 1944 as Commander of Task Group Two, Eighth Amphibious Force assisting in the planning for and invasion of Southern France. Task Group Two was later re-designated Amphibious Group ELEVEN, EIGHTH Fleet which was soon after transferred to the Pacific Theater and under his command participated in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa operations.
In February, 1946, he assumed command of Amphibious Group THREE of the SEVENTH Fleet. As commander of Amphibious Group ONE, Pacific Fleet he participated in the first full scale peace time amphibious training exercises conducted off the coast of Southern California.
On April 2, 1948, he reported as Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet. In February, 1950, he became Commandant of the Twelfth Naval district, with additional duty as Commander Naval Base, San Francisco, California. In March, 1954, he was assigned as Commander naval Forces, Germany and in November, 1955, he became President of the Permanent General Court Martial, Twelfth Naval district. On April 1, 1956, 40 years and two months after his commissioning as ensign in the United States navy, he was transferred to the retired list of the US Navy as a Vice Admiral.
Among his many decorations, Vice Admiral Rodgers was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with Gold Star, Army Legion of Merit, and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with Star.
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for actions during the Second World War.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Bertram Joseph Rodgers, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), during operations in the Aleutian Islands on 26 March 1943. During a 3 1/2-hour engagement with an enemy force of far greater strength, Captain Rodgers handled his cruiser with such excellent judgment and skill that she was able to inflict severe damage on one heavy cruiser and lesser damage on another heavy, and a light cruiser. His outstanding achievement contributed to the withdrawal of the Japanese force and frustrated their desperate attempt to reinforce troops in the Aleutian Islands. Captain Rodgers' conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 319 (October 1943) Action Date: March 26, 1943
Service: Navy Rank: Captain Company: Commanding Officer Division: U.S.S. Salt Lake City (CA-25)
Aleutians Islands Campaign (1942-43)/Battle of the Komandorski Islands
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March / 1943
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March / 1943
Description The Battle of the Komandorski Islands was a naval battle between American and Japanese forces which took place on 27 March 1943 in the North Pacific area of the Pacific Ocean, south of the Soviet Komandorski Islands. It is considered one of the most unusual engagements of World War II.
Background
When the United States became aware of Japanese plans to send a supply convoy to their forces on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, U.S. Navy ships commanded by Rear Admiral Charles McMorris were sent to prevent this. The fleet consisted of the heavy cruiser Salt Lake City, the light cruiser Richmond and the destroyers Coghlan, Bailey, Dale and Monaghan.
Unknown to the Americans, the Japanese had chosen to escort their convoy with two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and four destroyers commanded by Vice Admiral Boshiro Hosogaya. On the early morning of 27 March, the Japanese convoy was intercepted by the American picket line some 100 miles south of the Komandorski islands and 180 west of Kiska, just to the west of the International Date Line.[4] Because of the remote location of the battle and chance encounter on open ocean, neither fleet had air or submarine assistance, making this one of the few engagements exclusively between surface ships in the Pacific Theater and one of the last pure gunnery duels between fleets in naval history.
Although the Japanese cruisers heavily outgunned the American force, the engagement was tactically inconclusive. Both fleets suffered damage, with the U.S. Navy warships escaping almost by luck. With the Japanese fleet on the edge of victory, Admiral Hosogaya — not realizing the heavy damage his ships had inflicted and fearing American war planes would appear — retired without destroying his enemy. This amounted to a strategic defeat, as it ended Japanese attempts to resupply the Aleutian garrisons by surface ship, leaving only submarines to conduct supply runs. Hosogaya was accordingly retired from active service after the battle.
Battle
0600: The United States ships were formed in a scouting line at six-mile intervals zig-zagging at 15 knots on base course 020°.
0730: Lead ships Coghlan and Richmond made radar contact with the two trailing Japanese transports and a destroyer on course 080° at 13 kn (15 mph; 24 km/h). A navigating officer on one of the transports visually observed the American force minutes later.
0740: The Americans changed course to 080° and the rear ships increased speed to operate as a compact group. Five radar contacts were counted.
0755: The Japanese turned northward to course 340° and the Americans came to course 000° to follow.
0811: The Americans visually identified the radar contacts as two transports, two light cruisers, and a destroyer.
0820: The Americans sighted the masts of four more Japanese ships on the horizon.
0835: The Americans identified the masts as two heavy cruisers and two destroyers and turned to course 240°.
0838: The Japanese transports swerved off to the northwest.
0839: The Americans increased speed to 25 kn (29 mph; 46 km/h).
0840: Nachi opened fire on Richmond at a range of 20,000 yd (18,000 m). The second and third salvos were straddles.
0841: Richmond opened fire on Nachi. The third salvo was a straddle.
0842: Salt Lake City opened fire on Nachi at a range of 21,000 yd (19,000 m). The second salvo was a straddle.
As the range closed, Bailey opened fire on Nachi at a range of 14,000 yd (13,000 m) and then switched to a light cruiser. Coghlan opened fire on Nachi at a range of 18,000 yd (16,000 m).[5]
0845: Nachi launched eight torpedoes. All missed.
0850: One of Richmond′s 6 in (150 mm) shells hit the starboard side of Nachi′s signal bridge, killing 11 and wounding 21. Another shell hit Nachi′s mainmast and severed the flagship radio communication.
0852: One of Richmond′s 6-inch shells hit Nachi′s torpedo compartment. Another of Richmond′s 6-inch shells hit Nachi′s control room, killing two and wounding five. Nachi dropped back after losing electrical power to ammunition hoists and gun mounts.
0903: Richmond ceased firing. Salt Lake City continued firing from stern turrets.
0910: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8 in (200 mm) projectile fired by Maya. The starboard observation plane caught fire and was jettisoned.
0920: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya. Two men were killed.
1010: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya.
1059: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya.
1103: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya. Salt Lake City transferred water to correct a list caused by flooding.
1152: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya.
1153: Salt water entered a fuel tank in use and extinguished Salt Lake City′s boiler fires.
1154: Salt Lake City slowed to a stop. Bailey, Coghlan and Monaghan approached the Japanese cruisers for a torpedo attack while Richmond and Dale made smoke to shield Salt Lake City.
1203: Salt Lake City restarted boilers and increased speed to 15 knots.
1213: Salt Lake City increased speed to 22 kn (25 mph; 41 km/h).
1225: Bailey launched five torpedoes at 9,500 yd (8,700 m). All missed. Bailey was hit twice by 8-inch shells and came to a stop with five dead. Coghlan was hit once.
1230: Japanese ships retired westward. Neither Coghlan nor Monaghan launched torpedoes.
Salt Lake City fired 806 armor-piercing projectiles and then 26 high-capacity shells after the supply of armor-piercing ammunition was exhausted. Powder and shells were manhandled aft from the forward magazines to keep the after guns firing. Salt Lake City′s rudder stops were carried away, limiting her to 10° course changes.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
March / 1943
To Month/Year
March / 1943
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories In January 1943, the then Captain Rodgers assumed command of the heavy cruiser SALT LAKE CITY, one of the ships involved in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands in the North Pacific.
