Rodger Dean Andrews

Private Rodger Dean Andrews, 19, of Gravette, Arkansas was killed in action on the D-Day Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was born on December 26, 1924 to Dean Joseph Andrews and Ella Philo Rodgers Andrews.

He registered for military service in 1943 and was a member of the U.S. Army, Company C, 37th Engineer Combat Battalion.

Private Andrews was assigned to serve as an engineer and, during the D-Day Invasion was tasked with clearing German defenses to allow troops to land on Omaha Beach and begin the liberation of Europe.

Private Andrews was among the more than 2,500 American servicemembers killed on that day and his name was inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

On June 5, 2024, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that they had identified Private Andrews’ remains and more than 80 years after his death, Private Andrews’ remains would be returning home to Gravette, where he will be laid to rest alongside his parents.

A graveside service for Private Andrews will be held at 2:00pm Monday, June 9th, 2025 at Bethel Cemetery in Gravette, Arkansas.