A 1944 Wedding Announcement for Dorothy Emmalou Cupples to Air Forces Lieutenant Lawrence Rodgers Jr in Dallas Texas Larry was born in Wichita Falls, Texas on January 24, 1923 to Comer and Grace Rodgers. At age 17 he graduated from Wichita Falls High School. With only his mother’s signature on the underage application, he joined the Army Air Corps to learn to fly. Larry piloted the B-26 Martin Marauder in combat missions with the 554th Squadron of the 386th Bomb Group in World War II. He flew 76 missions out of Easton Lodge, Great Dunmow Airbase, Essex, England, including a mission on D-Day. Twice, the enemy shot down his planes during bombing runs over France, but he and his crew walked away. For his attacks on the German held invasion coast of France, First Lt. Lawrence C. Rodgers earned the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters. After his second tour of operations, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following the war, Larry continued test piloting aircraft in Europe. His country called him back to assist with the fusing of the A Bomb during the Korean conflict. He taught aviation applied electronics to younger troops; he continued flying planes for business and pleasure for a life time. Larry and Dorothy met at youth camp at Southern Methodist University before the war. Larry and Dorothy Rodgers married, August 18, 1944. Together they raised four children, all of whom survive them. Larry was an Aggie. His degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A & M in 1949 launched his research and development career where he created fabricating techniques for special metals while employed with the Pfaudler Company. NASA adopted these techniques for use in the space program. After his retirement, Larry obtained his real estate license and worked in sales and property management in Dallas and Wichita Falls. In 1994, for their 50th wedding anniversary, their family presented them with a memorable trip back to Essex County, England.