{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-vice-admiral-bertram-j-rodgers-navy-cross-ribbon-bar-naval-aviator-wings-amp-signed-1941-photograph-display-uss-salt-lake-city-hero-of-the-battle-of-the-komandorski-islands","title":"Original U.S. WWII Vice Admiral Bertram J. Rodgers Navy Cross Ribbon Bar, Naval Aviator Wings \u0026amp; Signed 1941 Photograph Display - USS Salt Lake City Hero of the Battle of the Komandorski Islands","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is an exceptional named U.S. Navy WWII display associated with \u003cstrong\u003eVice Admiral Bertram Joseph Rodgers\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most highly decorated American naval officers of the war and the Navy Cross recipient who commanded the heavy cruiser USS \u003cem\u003eSalt Lake City\u003c\/em\u003e (CA-25) during the desperate \u003cstrong\u003eBattle of the Komandorski Islands on March 26, 1943\u003c\/strong\u003e. Mounted on the approximately \u003cstrong\u003e16 x 27 ½”\u003c\/strong\u003e presentation board are Rodgers’ gold Naval Aviator wings, an eight-place ribbon bar headed by the \u003cstrong\u003eNavy Cross and Navy Distinguished Service Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e, and two period photographs, including one \u003cstrong\u003epersonally signed by Rodgers and dated 1941\u003c\/strong\u003e. The existing board has suffered water damage and warping, but the historic material mounted to it offers the foundation for an outstanding professionally framed display devoted to an officer whose career encompassed aviation, submarines, surface warfare, amphibious operations, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and command at the vice admiral level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBertram Joseph Rodgers was born on March 18, 1894, in Knoxville, Pennsylvania. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1912 and graduated with the Class of 1916, joining a generation of officers who would eventually occupy many of the Navy’s most important commands during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile at Annapolis, Rodgers was an accomplished athlete and played varsity baseball throughout his four years at the Academy, earning the Naval Academy “N.” He also held cadet leadership responsibilities and served as an ordnance officer within the brigade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis naval career became unusually broad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the interwar period, Rodgers served in submarines and later underwent lighter-than-air training at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey. He completed the course in \u003cstrong\u003e1928 and was designated a Naval Aviator\u003c\/strong\u003e, making the gold aviation wings included with this display an especially meaningful component rather than simply a decorative addition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRodgers subsequently served with Navy airships during an era when lighter-than-air aviation was considered an important component of long-range naval reconnaissance. His career therefore bridged several very different worlds of naval warfare, from submarines and dirigibles to heavy cruisers and amphibious task forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe centerpiece of Rodgers’ combat reputation came as commanding officer of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSS Salt Lake City (CA-25)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cruiser had already accumulated an extraordinary wartime record before Rodgers took her into the North Pacific. \u003cem\u003eSalt Lake City\u003c\/em\u003e participated in operations connected with the Doolittle Raid, supported the Guadalcanal campaign, and fought at the Battle of Cape Esperance, where she sustained enemy gunfire damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter repairs, she was transferred north to oppose Japanese attempts to reinforce their forces in the Aleutian Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn \u003cstrong\u003eMarch 26, 1943\u003c\/strong\u003e, American naval forces intercepted a significantly stronger Japanese force near the Komandorski Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting engagement became one of the most remarkable surface actions of the Pacific War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere were no aircraft carriers and no meaningful air support directing the battle. Instead, cruisers and destroyers fought an extended traditional gunnery engagement across the cold waters of the North Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRodgers commanded \u003cem\u003eSalt Lake City\u003c\/em\u003e, the largest American warship in the engagement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe battle continued for approximately \u003cstrong\u003e3 1\/2 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cem\u003eSalt Lake City\u003c\/em\u003e came under intense Japanese fire and was repeatedly hit. At one stage the cruiser temporarily lost propulsion and appeared to be in an extremely dangerous position against the approaching Japanese force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRodgers nevertheless continued fighting his ship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis calm handling of the cruiser under extraordinarily difficult circumstances helped keep the American formation intact until \u003cem\u003eSalt Lake City’s\u003c\/em\u003e engineering personnel succeeded in restoring power. The Japanese commander ultimately broke off the engagement, and the reinforcement convoy intended for the Aleutian garrisons turned back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor his conduct during the battle, Captain Rodgers received the:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNavy Cross\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis citation reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Battle of the Komandorski Islands was not the end of Rodgers’ wartime career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe later rose to flag rank and became deeply involved in amphibious warfare. During the invasion of Southern France in \u003cstrong\u003e1944\u003c\/strong\u003e, Rodgers commanded naval forces supporting \u003cstrong\u003eOperation Dragoon\u003c\/strong\u003e, coordinating the movement and landing of troops, supplies, and equipment of the U.S. Seventh Army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this service he received the:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNavy Distinguished Service Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRodgers subsequently served as commander of \u003cstrong\u003eAmphibious Group 11\u003c\/strong\u003e during operations against \u003cstrong\u003eIwo Jima and Okinawa\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis task force supported minesweeping, underwater demolition operations, shore bombardment, troop landings, and the continued advance of American ground forces against some of the strongest Japanese defenses encountered during the Pacific War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor his performance during these operations, Rodgers received a \u003cstrong\u003eGold Star in lieu of a second Navy Distinguished Service Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing WWII, Rodgers continued serving in increasingly senior commands. His assignments ultimately included command of Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, commandant of the \u003cstrong\u003e12th Naval District in San Francisco\u003c\/strong\u003e, and command of \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Naval Forces Germany\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe ultimately retired with the rank of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVice Admiral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe insignia grouping mounted on the board provides an excellent visual summary of the earlier portion of that remarkable career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the top are Rodgers’ gold:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNaval Aviator Wings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese have particular relevance to his interwar lighter-than-air aviation service and his 1928 designation as a Naval Aviator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso mounted is an \u003cstrong\u003eeight-place ribbon bar\u003c\/strong\u003e containing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNavy Cross\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNavy Distinguished Service Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWWI Victory Medal with one star\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Defense Service Medal with one star\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Campaign Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one campaign star\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three campaign stars\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWWII Victory Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not Rodgers’ complete final-career ribbon rack, as he accumulated additional decorations and later awards over the course of his long service. It nevertheless represents an impressive wartime grouping and is particularly significant because the first two ribbons correspond to his highest U.S. naval decorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe board also contains \u003cstrong\u003etwo photographs of Rodgers\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne is personally signed by him and dated:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1941\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular interest, the ribbon arrangement Rodgers is wearing in the photograph is quite similar to the mounted ribbon group, providing an excellent visual connection between the officer and the insignia displayed alongside his image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete presentation board measures approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e16 x 27 ½”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition of the board itself is poor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has suffered water damage and is now noticeably warped. Some of the original lettering applied to the board is also wearing away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mounted artifacts and photographs remain the real collector value of the presentation. With careful conservation and professional reframing, the wings, ribbons, photographs, and surviving identification information could be transformed into an exceptionally impressive display while preserving the history of the original presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNamed WWII flag officer material is difficult to encounter, particularly when it relates to an officer with such a varied combat career. Rodgers was not simply a senior administrator who acquired rank late in the war. He personally commanded USS \u003cem\u003eSalt Lake City\u003c\/em\u003e through one of the Pacific War’s most dramatic cruiser engagements, earned the Navy Cross in combat, subsequently directed major amphibious operations in both Europe and the Pacific, and received two awards of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of \u003cstrong\u003eRodgers’ Naval Aviator wings, Navy Cross ribbon, Distinguished Service Medal ribbon, wartime campaign ribbons, signed 1941 photograph, additional portrait, and direct association with USS Salt Lake City and the Battle of the Komandorski Islands\u003c\/strong\u003e makes this an unusually compelling named officer grouping. Properly reframed, it would make a superb centerpiece for an advanced U.S. Navy, USS \u003cem\u003eSalt Lake City\u003c\/em\u003e, Aleutian Campaign, Naval Aviation, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, amphibious warfare, or WWII flag officer collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44838607683653,"sku":"ONJR25DEAS50","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25DEAS50__01.jpg?v=1775063112","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-vice-admiral-bertram-j-rodgers-navy-cross-ribbon-bar-naval-aviator-wings-amp-signed-1941-photograph-display-uss-salt-lake-city-hero-of-the-battle-of-the-komandorski-islands","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}