Staff Report
Maj. David Rogan, a Middlesboro native who served as a pilot during World War II, will be inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame on Oct. 27 in Lexington.
Rogan’s aerial career began in 1941 when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to face the Axis threat. After training
in Brandon, Manitoba, he departed for England in November 1941 and flew Bristol Blenheim bombers for for the Royal Air Force. In 1942, he transferred to the U.S. 8th Air Force and participated in bombing attacks over Germany. After 25 bombing missions in Europe with this unit, Rogan returned to the states and trained to fly the just-developed B-29 Superfortress aircraft. This led to service in the South Pacific as a squadron commander on the island of Tinian and bombing the Japanese homeland.
Rogan was one of only a few pilots to fly in both the European and Pacific theaters of operations during World War II, and was recognized with several awards and medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he joined the Rogan and Rogan mining supply business. Rogan passed away in March 2011.
Rogan and three other honorees will be inducted at a black-tie dinner held at the Museum. Reservations for the event on Oct. 27 are $90 for museum members and $100 for others. These can be made on-line at www.aviationky.org.
The Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame has honored natives of Kentucky and other outstanding individuals for their aviation or aerospace achievements since the first enshrinement in 1996. Previous honorees include inventors, pilots, scientists, designers, military aviators and airline executives.
For information regarding the induction banquet and ceremony call 859-317-2815.
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