Russell L. Rogers

Russell Lee Rogers (April 12, 1928 – September 13, 1967), (Lt Col, USAF), was an American electrical engineer, U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, and astronaut in the X-20 Dyna-Soar program.

Early life and education
He was born on April 12, 1928 in Lawrence, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1958. He was married with five children.

Test pilot
As a USAF Test Pilot School graduate, Rogers was an experimental test pilot at Edwards AFB, California when selected for the X-20 program in April, 1960. He left the program on December 10, 1963 when it was cancelled.

After the X-20 program, he remained in the U.S. Air Force on active flight duty as a pilot with the rank of Lt. Colonel at the time of his death.

Death
Rogers was killed when the engine of his F-105 fighter plane failed near Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan on September 13, 1967. He ejected from his aircraft, but his parachute failed to deploy properly. He was 39 years old.