Rodger W. Simpson

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Roger Whitton Simpson
1898 – 1964
Allegiance	USN
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	USS Ohio (BB-12) USS Brooklyn (CL-40) USS Farquhar (DE-139) USS Twiggs (DD-591) USS Sloat (DE-245) USS William Jones (DD-308) USS Ludlow (DD-438) USS Whippoorwill (AMS-207)
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Navy Cross (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit Victory Medal Atlantic Fleet Clasp American Defense Service Medal Fleet Clasp Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Silver Stars (ten engagements) Philippine Liberation Ribbon World War II Victory Medal.

Roger Whitton Simpson (1898–1964) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy who distinguished himself during World War II. The USS Simpson (FFG-56) was named in his honor.

Roger W. Simpson attended one year at the University of Oregon. Following, he entered the United States Naval Academy in June 1917. Midshipman Simpson served on Ohio (BB-12) which was based on the Atlantic Ocean and part of Atlantic Fleet during World War I. Simpson was commissioned an Ensign during June of 1920, graduating in the class of 1921.

He commanded the USS Mahan (DD 364) as a LCDR during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on October 26, 1942. Promoted to CDR and commanded DesDiv 15, made up of the Sterett (DD 407), Stack (DD 406), and Lang (DD 399), which along with 3 ships of DesDiv12 under Commander Frederick Moosbrugger, sank 3 Japanese destroyers and damaged 1 in the Battle of Vella Gulf, 6-7 August, 1943.

Simpson also served tours as Commander, Training Command, Marianas; Commander Fleet Training Group, Western Pacific; Commander, Underway Training Unit, Guam; Commanding Officer, USS Atlanta; and Commanding Officer, Naval Station Treasure Islands.

On April 6, 1944, Commodore Simpson commanded Task Flotilla 6. He orchestrated and planned the rescue of over 7,500 Allied prisoners of war and civilians interned in Japanese concentration camps.

For this rescue, he was honored with the Legion of Merit. The citation in part follows: "...by freeing the prisoners before the actual signing of the surrender, he saved the lives of hundreds of sick and starving U.S. service people..."

He retired in 1951.