Harry Lovejoy Rogers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Lovejoy Rogers
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Harris and Ewing photo, circa 1919
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| Born | January 29, 1867 Washington, D.C. |
| Died | December 12, 1925 (aged 58) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
Michigan Militia United States Army |
| Years of service | 1887-1898 (Militia) 1898-1922 (Army) |
| Rank | Major (Militia) Major General (Army) |
| Unit | U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps |
| Commands held | Quartermaster General of the United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War United States occupation of Veracruz Pancho Villa Expedition World War I |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Pray (m. 1892–1925, his death) |
| Children | 2 |
Harry L. Rogers (born January 29, 1867 – died December 12, 1925) was an important officer in the United States Army. He was an expert in managing supplies and food for soldiers. This job is called a quartermaster.
Rogers became a major general, which is a very high rank. He is best known for leading the supply efforts for American soldiers in France during World War I. He also served as the top quartermaster for the entire U.S. Army from 1918 to 1922.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Harry Lovejoy Rogers was born in Washington, D.C. on January 29, 1867. His father, J. Sumner Rogers, was in charge of the Michigan Military Academy. Harry went to school there and graduated in 1884.
After that, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1886, Rogers started working at the Michigan Military Academy. He joined the Michigan Militia as an officer. From 1887 to 1897, he was the school's quartermaster, holding the rank of major. He then became the leader of the cadets from 1897 to 1898.
Starting His Army Career
When the Spanish–American War began, Rogers joined the Army. On May 2, 1898, he became a major in the Army's Pay Department. This department handled soldiers' pay.
He first worked in Puerto Rico as the chief paymaster. Then he moved to Fort Sheridan, Illinois. In 1904, Rogers became the chief paymaster in Saint Paul, Minnesota. By 1906, he was helping the Army's top paymaster in Washington, D.C.
Later, Rogers was sent to the Philippine Division as its chief paymaster. After that, he worked in New York City. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1907.
Continuing His Service
In August 1912, the Army combined its Pay, Quartermaster, and Subsistence departments. They formed the new Quartermaster Corps. Rogers was put in charge of the Finance Division. He worked to make Army accounting and payroll records better.
Rogers then became the quartermaster for the Southern Department. He was in charge of supplying troops during the United States occupation of Veracruz in Mexico. From March to October 1915, he worked with the 2nd Division in Texas City, Texas.
This division helped protect the U.S.-Mexico border during the Pancho Villa Expedition. Rogers was praised for how well he managed supplies for the soldiers. In August 1915, a big hurricane hit the Texas coast. Rogers helped move the 2nd Division units to other safe places.
Rogers' work in Texas was very important. It showed what the Army would need for World War I. He helped provide shelter, equipment, and supplies for 150,000 soldiers. This included over 100,000 National Guardsmen. The Pancho Villa expedition was also the first time the Army used many motor vehicles. Rogers bought many cars and trucks for the troops. These vehicles were sent by train to Columbus, New Mexico, and then given to the units.
Leading in World War I
In June 1917, Rogers became the chief quartermaster for the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). This meant he was responsible for supplying all U.S. troops in France during World War I. In August, he was promoted to brigadier general.
Rogers brought many new ideas to the supply effort. He set up bakeries in the field to make sure soldiers always had fresh bread. He also created the world's largest ice-making plant. He developed a system for storing and giving out gasoline.
He also helped create the Motor Transport Corps for vehicles. And he started the Graves Registration Service to care for fallen soldiers. Rogers also made sure soldiers had laundry and bathing places. He even set up a service to reuse old supplies.
On July 22, 1918, Rogers was named the Quartermaster General of the United States Army. He was given the rank of major general. He stayed in France until February 1919. Then he returned to the U.S. to start his new job.
For his great work in World War I, Rogers received the Army Distinguished Service Medal. He also received awards from other countries. These included the Order of the Bath from Great Britain, the Order of the Crown from Italy, the Order of Leopold from Belgium, and the Legion of Honor from France.
After the War: Quartermaster General
As Quartermaster General, Rogers saw that the Quartermaster Corps was divided. Different parts like transportation and construction worked separately. They reported directly to the War Department. Rogers thought this caused too much spending and paperwork. He worked to bring these jobs back under the Quartermaster Corps.
When the Army was reorganized in 1920, the Quartermaster Corps got back control of transportation and construction. Rogers wanted the Quartermaster Corps to be a group of supply experts. This way, soldiers would not be temporarily assigned to supply duties.
Another important project Rogers led was redesigning gravestones for veterans. He worked with General John J. Pershing on this. New gravestones for World War I veterans were taller and thicker. They were called the "General" design. These new stones also allowed families to show a veteran's religious belief. In August 1922, Rogers retired from the Army due to health reasons.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring, Rogers lived in Philadelphia. He passed away there on December 12, 1925. Harry Rogers was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Rogers married Harriet Pray in 1892. They had two children. Their daughter, Helen F. Rogers, married Colonel Rodney H. Smith. Their son, Harry Lovejoy Rogers Jr., also became an Army colonel during World War II.
In 2015, Harry L. Rogers was honored. He was added to the Army Quartermaster Foundation's Hall of Fame. In 1939, the Army named a tugboat after him, the Maj. Gen. Harry L. Rogers. This boat was used by the Quartermaster Corps for many years.
