Roger Allen Sorensen
"Screns"
d 2009
Biography as of May 09, 2024
Roger was born in December 1940 in Nicollet, Minnesota. His family later moved to St. James, Minn., where he graduated from high school. It was in St. James where he met his partner for life, Ella Mae "Elly" Johnson.
At a very young age Rog already knew what his life's vocation would be. He wanted to be a fighter pilot. He received an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. After graduation he and Elly were married June 22, 1963.
After pilot traing at Vance AFB Rog checked out in the F-4 Phantom and flew 131 combat missions in RVN. He stayed with the Phantom until 1982 (with a few staff jobs in between) all the while moving up as Sqn Commander and then Wing Commander at several locations. His career took him to Enid, Okla.; Tucson, Ariz.; Apple Valley, Calif.; Vietnam; Germany; Montgomery Ala.; Springfield, Va.; Okinawa, Japan; The Philippines; Las Vegas; Tampa, Fla.; Myrtle Beach; and Austin, Texas. It was during his tour in Myrtle Beach that he served as the Wing Commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (A-10s).
Roger (and Elly) retired from the Air Force May 31, 1986, He then formed his own airplane sales company, Sun Air Sales, headquartered at Ramp 66 in North Myrtle Beach. An avid outdoorsman, Rog enjoyed fishing, boating, golf, and his annual pheasant hunting trip to South Dakota. While he enjoyed his hobbies, Rog truly loved two things: his family and his country!
Retired Colonel Roger "Rog" Allen Sorensen, U.S. Air Force, 69, passed away at his home in Murrells Inlet,SC on Sunday, December 6, 2009.
During his illustrious military career, Roger earned the following honors and medals:
Silver Star; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross (2); Meritorious Service Medal (3); Air Medal (9); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; Air Force Presidential Unit Citation (2); Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor; Air Force Combat Readiness Medal (2); National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon (5); Marksmanship Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.