John Rodgers (naval officer, World War I)
| John Rodgers | |
|---|---|
John Rodgers on left and aviator J. Clifford Turpin 1912. The men are incorrectly labeled on the photograph and Rodgers's name is misspelled.
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| Born |
January 15, 1881 Washington, D.C. |
| Died | August 27, 1926 (aged 45) Delaware River |
| Allegiance |
 USA
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| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1903–1926 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal |
| Relations |
Matthew C. Perry (great grandfather) John Rodgers (great grandfather) John Rodgers (grandfather) William Ledyard Rodgers (cousin) Calbraith Perry Rodgers (cousin) Frederick Rodgers (uncle) |
John Rodgers (January 15, 1881 – August 27, 1926) was an officer in the United States Navy and a pioneering aviator.
Rodgers was the great-grandson of Commodores Rodgers and Perry. He was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1903. His early naval career included service on ships of various types before studying flying in 1911 and becoming the second American naval officer to fly for the United States Navy. In September 1911, Lieutenant John Rodgers assembled and flew a crated Wright Model B-1 aircraft delivered by Orville Wright at an armory in Annapolis, Maryland, and then bringing naval flight as a pioneer to the United States Navy.
He commanded Division 1, Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet in 1916; and, after the United States entered World War I, he commanded the Submarine Base at New London, Connecticut.
Following the war, he served in European waters and received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding work on minesweeping operations in the North Sea. After several important assignments during the next five years, he commanded Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet, in Langley in 1925.
That year he led the first attempt at a non-stop flight from California to Hawaii. Given the technology of the time, this tested the limits of both aircraft range and the accuracy of aerial navigation. The expedition was to include three planes. Rodgers commanded the flying boat PN-9 No. 1. The PN-9 No. 3 was commanded by Lt. Allen P. Snody. The third plane was to have been a new design, which was not completed in time to join the expedition. Due to the risks, the Navy positioned 10 guard ships spaced 200 miles apart between California and Hawaii to refuel or recover the aircraft if necessary. The two PN-9s departed San Pablo Bay, California (near San Francisco) on August 31. Lt. Snody’s plane had an engine failure about five hours into its flight, was forced to land in the ocean, and was safely recovered.
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