Robert Leroy Rodgers was born on September 18, 1913, in Roosevelt County, New Mexico. He was the son of Martin Luther Rodgers and Rosa Letha "Rosie" Houston Rodgers. He was married to Helen Louise Ashton Seay. He served in the 515th Coast Artillery Regiment as a Staff Sergeant during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, SSgt Rodgers was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

SSgt Rodgers was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on May 17, 1942. He is now buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Source of information: www.livescience.com