Eugene Rogers was a US Marine who declared Santa Cruz to be his home; however, record of his residency has not been confirmed. California birth records indicate that Eugene Jerome Rogers was born on May 3, 1930, in Sacramento County, California. Information regarding his birth, family, formative years or military career is not available.

The American Battlefield Monument Commission records indicate that Rogers listed Santa Cruz, California, as his residence when he enlisted in the US Marine Corps. Those records also revealed that "Corporal Rogers was a member of a 4.2" Mortar Company, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division" and that he was killed in action while fighting the enemy in Korea on December 9, 1951.

All that can be added to this fact is a brief synopsis of the activities of that unit at the time of his death.

“On August 17, 1950 the 7th Marines were again activated for service. On September 15, the 1st Marine Division, with the 7th Marines in Reserve, landed at the port city of Inchon. Once the port was secured, the 7th Marines landed and took over the drive for Seoul. For 5 days, the 7th Marines fought against the communist North Korean forces and entered the capital city of Seoul. In bitter house-to-house fighting, the city quickly fell to the Marines and the communists were driven north. In October the 1st Marine Division landed at Wonson. After liberating the port, the Marines began their drive north to the Chosin Reservoir to either capture or destroy a key hydroelectric plant. By November 15, the Marines had reached the southern tip of the reservoir. Then all hell broke loose. Eight Chinese communist Divisions stormed out of the mountains and attacked the 1st Marine Division. The Marines began to withdraw just as winter set in. For four weeks, the Marines fought through seventy-eight miles of mountain roads in icy winter conditions all the while battling the Chinese forces.”

The location of the remains of Eugene Jerome Rogers is not known. His awards include the Purple Heart.

(ABMC, Baker-one-seven.com, History of the 7 Marine Regiment http://www.bakeroneseven.com/7thregiment.htm, [16 Sept. 2008])