John Rodgers (naval officer, born 1881)

John Rodgers (1881-1926) was a pioneering officer in the United States Navy who significantly contributed to the development of naval aviation. A member of a distinguished naval family, Rodgers was the great-grandson of Commodore John Rodgers (1772–1838), grandson of Rear Admiral John Rodgers (1812–1882), and son of Rear Admiral Frederick Rodgers (1842–1917).

Rodgers graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1903. Early in his career, he served on various ships and participated in the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1914.

Recognizing the potential of aviation for naval operations, Rodgers became involved in the burgeoning field. He underwent flight training and earned Naval Aviator designation number 2, making him one of the earliest qualified naval pilots. He was instrumental in establishing naval air stations and developing flight techniques.

In 1925, Rodgers commanded the PN-9 No. 1, a Navy seaplane, in an attempt to fly from California to Hawaii. The flight was intended to be the first non-stop flight between the mainland United States and the Hawaiian Islands. However, the aircraft ran out of fuel short of its destination after 28 hours in the air. Rodgers and his crew navigated and sailed the downed aircraft for nine days before reaching Kauai. While the flight was unsuccessful in its original goal, the crew's survival and resourcefulness garnered significant public attention and further emphasized the capabilities and challenges of long-distance air travel.

Rodgers died in an aircraft accident near Philadelphia in 1926. He was a strong advocate for naval aviation throughout his career, and his contributions were vital to its growth and integration into the United States Navy.