ARNOLD LEE ROGGE, MERIDEN, COMMENDED FOR HIS BRAVERY - "Manned Gun In Face of Bomb, Shrapnel Barrage".
Arnold
Lee Rogge, gunner's mate third class, in the U.S. Navy, son of Nels
Magnus Rogge, Meriden, has been commended by the chief of naval
personnel for "conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, " the navy
public relations office at Omaha, NE, reported Saturday. His
commendations reads as follows:
"A report of the experience
reveals that your ship and the areas about here were subjected to a
vicious attack by approximately 20 hostile planes. In spite of
the constant danger from falling bombs and shrapnel, the navy gun crew
valiantly manned their battle stations and threw up such an accurate
barrage of blazing shellfire that the enemy was driven off with the
loss of five planes, some of which were undoubtedly sent to their
destruction by your guns. Your prompt and effective action
prevented the sinking of your ship and contributed greatly to the
successful completion of the convoy's mission. Your courageous
fighting spirit and the excellence of your performance on this occasion
were in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Naval
Service."
Source: Cherokee
County Historical Society Newsletter, Vol 15, Num 2, Feb 1980, Sec VI,
Pg 9 - a reprint from Cherokee Daily Times - Feb 2, 1944
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