Andrew Carrol Rodgers

November 12, 1942

Recent volunteers from Flagler County include CAROL RODGERS, Ralph Cantrell and James Paul Crews to the army; Rex Robertson, Lonnie Jenkins and Frank Richard to the navy.

May 6, 1943

CAROL RODGERS has been transferred to Ft. Bragg, N. C.

November 4, 1943

Pvt. CAROL RODGERS who is an ASTP has been sent to North Carolina State at Raleigh. Carol was here on furlough for a short time before going to Raleigh. Before that he was at Fort Bragg and then at Georgia State Teachers College, Statesboro, Ga.

February 10, 1944

Pvt. CAROL RODGERS of Ft. Bragg, N. C., spent several days last week here visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Rodgers.

May 11, 1944

CAROL RODGERS, in the army at Jackson, S. C., is also here on furlough visiting with his parents.

October 12, 1944

Pvt. CAROL RODGERS, infantryman, is now receiving his mail in care of postmaster, New York.

November 23, 1944

Pvt. CAROL RODGERS has advised his parents here that he has landed in England.

February 15, 1945

And here's a letter from another soldier on the Western Front, CAROL RODGERS, dated January and from "Duchy of Luxembourg." Carol says:

"The first issue of The Tribune to arrive was dated the first week of December. Really swell of you to send it - sort of keeps one in touch with the old hometown. It is appreciated very much, I assure you.

Since my arrival, the army has made every attempt to give me a complete tour of Western Europe. They have succeeded. Somehow I feel that it would have been much more enjoyable in a touring car - with five heaters attached advantageously to the inside -than in an open jeep. This snow, ice, and below zero weather just isn't for a Florida Cracker. Hay in the foxhole helps a great deal but it is hell to dig through fifteen inches of snow with about the same amount of frozen earth under it. One digs very rapidly at times in spite of all handicaps. Le Boche sees to that!

I am a radio operator with the forward observer. After seeing the dough boys in action, and being with them, I have the greatest admiration for all. The front lines catch a lot of hell from the weather, but they do OK. We can bet on them anytime.”

(Ed Note: Carol is with a cannon co.). He continued:

“There is a custom here and in Belgium whereby a man may brag about his wealth by spreading manure in stacks in front of the house. The more horses and cows, the more manure and what an odor. Many of these people are quite well-to-do, according to standard here.

It is really pitiful to see some of the refugees return to their ruined homes. The Germans break windows, destroy furniture, knock down rafters, and anything else for hellish meanness. Maybe we can stop all that. Will try our best, you can bet.

Best to all the home folks and to you and Mrs. Fuller.”

(How right, Carol, the guy was who said "one-half of the world doesn't know how the other half lives." It is interesting to learn that the average farmer there hasn't changed his mode of living, measuring wealth, etc. since such things were also very much in evidence to the AEF of 27 years ago. Incidentally, all that history you loved so well in school here should be doubly appreciated now).

April 19, 1945

Pfc. CAROL RODGERS, infantryman, and who has seen plenty of combat, writes long letters to his parents here, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Rodgers, that give an excellent word picture of Nice, France, where he was along the first of this month. Carol told of visiting some of the famous places in that area, including the world-renowned Mareshrdlu Grasse.

Carol said that the hotel where he is staying, and provided by the army, equals those found in Miami. He added that "This day has been most enjoyable. It is still difficult for me to relax in the true sense of the word but am gradually overcoming the tension.

This wonderful climate and lovely surroundings are certainly conducive to relaxation."

April 29, 1945

BUNNELL SOLDIER WINS BRONZE STAR FOR HEROIC ACTION

Pfc. ANDREW CAROL RODGERS, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Rodgers of Bunnell has won the Bronze Star while fighting the Germans last February, according to information sent to his parents here. The citation states:

The Bronze Star is awarded "Pfc. ANDREW C. RODGERS, Cannon Co., Inf. Regt., for heroic achievement in action against an armed enemy of the United States in Germany on February 21, 1945.

Pfc. Rodgers observed the explosion of a shell which wounded a soldier, ignited his clothes and rendered him unconscious. Disregarding personal safety, Pfc. Rodgers ran to the wounded man, carried him to a sheltered position, extinguished his burning clothing and rendered first aid. Artillery fire was still falling in the immediate vicinity which Pfc. Rodgers was engaged in his rescue mission.

His heroism and devotion to a wounded comrade are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States."

Private Rodgers is the first man from this county to win the Bronze Star.

June 14, 1945

The following letter is one written by Pfc. CAROL RODGERS to his mother here, giving her the history of his arrival and subsequent action in the ETA. The letter follows:

Burgk, Germany,
May 29, 1945.

My Dear Mother:
“This is being written at a desk some two or three hundred years old made of hand carved wood, beautiful in. laid designs. I am at the moment in the formal reception room of the Counts of Burgk. The view from the window east ward is incomparable. A sweeping curve of the Sasle River is almost directly below me. It disappears up the valley between two very steep hills. Huge forests of pine, aspen, and poplar come down to the water's edge. At others cultivated land and flowered fields are right to the water's edge. It is a lovely scene - one of peace.

After so long a time, scenes of war and destruction become obnoxious tho' these are the hated enemy and this is their land. Birds are twittering in the tree just to my left. One pair have a nest there. Evidently they have young but I cannot see them.

There are no tours through here today-maybe some this afternoon. We finished showing this regiment through yesterday at five o'clock. After eating an early supper, we decided to go swimming: The best spot on the river is about two miles from here so the captain let the seven of us use a jeep. After swimming for an hour or so we went for a long ride through the countryside. Just like a Sunday afternoon drive and I really enjoyed it. I was driving. Of course we had to take back roads to avoid any inquisitive MP’s or officers but that only made it more exciting.

When I come home I'll tell you about this castle. It is just too large and has too much history for me to go into any detail. It was built in the ninth century by the Reuss family. Has been brought up to date on the inside through the years. You know me, Mom, I'm practically in second heaven in something like this. First heaven right now is home. We should be on a long journey before long. No one knows how or which way but we should be wherever we are going by the last of July or the first of August. I am hoping we at least come through the States and get furloughs before going to the CBI. Our constant nightmare is that we will not be allowed to do so.

I thought it might interest you all to know where I have been during my travels of the past months. Over a year since I last saw you all now. Here goes anyway.

We went from Camp Kilmer to the pier in New York Oct. 16. Loaded aboard the Queen Elizabeth that night. Over 15,000 of us on board. We were the last to load so the ship pulled out the 17th at 7 a.m. As many of us as possible got on deck. The last thing I saw was Brooklyn fading into the distance. Passed several convoys just out of N.Y. Our ship was not in convoy. We raced across under full steam. Changed course every few minutes. We were warned that if anyone fell overboard there would be no help for a ship of that size could not turn back, or even break radio silence to send a destroyer to the rescue. Too much danger for the thousands on board. We were escorted for the first day and a half by a navy blimp. Our British escort of destroyers picked us up half a day from Southern Ireland and from then on there were patrol planes overhead almost constantly. Went up through the Irish Sea and docked at Glasgow at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22nd. Disembarked the next day and went by train to Leek, England. Arrived there the 24th.

At Leek we were barracked in an old mill that had been fixed up with beds of a sort. Stayed there a month to the day. The night of Nov. 24 our trucks left for Southampton. Before midnight we left by train. That was a miserable night. Got wet before we boarded the train and there was no way to dry out. Left Southampton in a small steamer about 3 o'clock the morning of the 25th. Arrived at Le Havre just before dark. Never have I been more miserable. It was very cold and rained all night.

We and all of our equipment were soaked. Had to stand out in the rain for over 5 hours waiting for trucks. Had to march over a mile with those water-soaked bags to get to the trucks. Le Havre was in ruins and what few buildings were standing were so thoroughly booby trapped that we couldn't use them. Trucks picked us up at midnight. We rode for four hours to a field about 20 miles from Rauen. We got out of the trucks and they pulled away. The fields were seas of mud almost half way to the knees. Rain still poured. We pitched tents and bedded down -in mud. That was one of the greatest shocks we had ever had. Such a miserable crew. All in all it was probably for the best because from then on we expected the worst - and usually got it - but when any break came we keenly appreciated it. My buddy and tent-mate at that time got pneumonia and did not return to the outfit till March - -lucky dog.

We left the apple orchard Dec. 1 and started across France. Spent that night in Verdun. Then we drove on to Metz. Fighting was still going on in the fortresses just outside Metz but we didn't get into it for a few days. Slept in old stables that the Nazis had used for barracks. Went from there to Ft. Jeanne de Arc. Started firing on it Dec. 6 - first committed to battle. On Dec. 13 we moved out of Metz to the line southwest of Saareguenines. We went right into battle. The first day walking wounded kept coming back through us. Artillery shells landed in and around the gun positions. That was the deepest hole I have ever dug. We kept going forward. The first platoon radio operator was wounded that day.

On the 17th I was up with the front lines. We jumped off at daybreak that morning - a Sunday. I'll never forget that day. It is one of the longest I'll ever live. Our regiment was seven miles out in front of everyone, taking fire from three sides. In spite of all the others could do, they could not bring their lines up and close the flanks. It was murder. The Second Battalion had the dubious honor of my presence that day. I was never exactly scared-didn't have time. Every time I tried to call the Co. the Jerries would cross beam my radio, and wham! In would come the 88s. It ended with me the only radio operator still sending for either battalion on two companies, E & F. That was our initiation into the real thing. Dug my second foxhole that night.

Temperature dropped below freezing the 13th and I don't believe it ever got above again until about the 1st of March except for one short thaw. Lost my overcoat that first day. Just my field jacket between me and the sky. Managed to pick up an overcoat from a casualty about a week later. . . size 40. Best one in the whole company tho. It covered from my ears to my shoe tops. My Benny was soon the laughingstock of the Co. but many offered to trade. We moved up to a place called (by us) 88 Hill. Waited for the flanks to catch up. They never did for we were jerked out and sent racing back to Rheims and from there up through Sedan to stop the Jerry in the Bulge. That was Xmas day.

We were in the line constantly till after the 20th of January. No rest for the weary, and cold. Fought all around Houffalize and St. Hubert. That was the time that I marched sometimes as much as 7 or 8 miles in a day through 15 or 20 inches of snow. No fun! Our losses had been so heavy by this time that they pulled us out again and sent us to Lux. to a defensive position for regrouped to stay 16 days but we only stayed 8. Went back into the line at St. Vith. Helped take it and moved out over the border into the Siegfried about 25 miles NW of Prum. Again we stuck our neck out and got out too far. Had to sit down and wait for the division on our right and left to come up. Rough here too. Our only road that supplies could come up was under enemy observation and fire. Quite a few casualties at this point. It was here in the ‘Bloody Bowl" at Purple Heart Corner’ that I got my Bronze Star.

We finally hit from there and crushed them to Lissindorf and on to Dollendorf. From there right down the Autobahn to the Moselle at Mulheim and Winningen. Forced the Moselle at Winningen and took Coblenz. Moved South along the Rhine and crossed it at Boppsole. Kinda rough there. You would have thought I was a paddle-wheeler under full steam if you had seen me paddling there with the bullets zipping by. Glad you didn't see it though. Twenty mm ack ack chopping away at us too. Took us all day to get up the cliffs on the other side. What a time. That radio weighed as much as its number - 300.

We drove on thru Lykenhausen, Pohl, etc., to south of Limburg. Place called Brandoblendorf. Not such a big place but it had a nice church. That was the first rest in weeks. In a way it was, we had bypassed so many Jerries that mopping up was in order. We drove about the countryside and patrols were sent in all directions. Lt. Griffin took command of a loudspeaker unit and I went along to man the 50 cal. machine-gun. (That was part of my job at all times anyway.) Rounded up a lot of Krauts. SS proved a little hard to get. 'Tough son-of-a-guns.

The morning they took off from there to go below Kassel, I left for Mainz and a plane trip to the south of France. When I came back later (about 14 days) they had driven on through Eisenach and Erfurt to a little place called Diettride. From there we jumped off two days after my return to hit for Plauen and vicinity. Took it and we settled down there for about 3 weeks. . . mopping up. From there to Falkenstein for 8 days and from Falkenstein to here. Tomorrow we have been here about two weeks. This is 2nd June. See how long it has taken to write this. I have no time to do anything now that I am working at the castle. It is a full-time job and exhausting.

All rumors are that we will be back in the States before August. Furlough then CBI. All rumor to date so I don’t know(?). Lord how I hope so. If I only knew that I could come back to the Sates and not have to go to the CBI, I wouldn’t mind another year over here.

July 19, 1945

Two Flagler county men arrived here Sunday from the European Theater of operations. Cpl. J. E. (Pete) Barber and Pfc. CAROL RODGERS. Carol is a member of the 87th Infantry division and Pete is a member of the Eighth Air Force. Both units are scheduled for action in the Pacific after furloughs and retraining.

July 26, 1945

We have added a few more articles to our museum this week. CAROL RODGERS brought us a German compass and a Nazi belt buckle that was taken from a German officer killed back of our lines in Germany.

August 16, 1945

Two boys are leaving here tomorrow to return to Camp Blanding after having 30.day furloughs at home. They are Cpl. J. E. (Pete) Barber and Pfc. CAROL RODGERS. Both were scheduled for the Pacific before the surrender this week. We hope they will not have to go, and that they will be back "for good" soon.

September 27, 1945

Pfc. CAROL RODGERS is spending a short furlough at home this week.

December 13, 1945

Discharged from the armed forces this week ....... CAROL RODGERS