His father, Robert Smith Rodgers was a Colonel in the Civil War and his uncle, Rear Admiral John Rodgers was a well known naval figure of his time and the first to rise to the rank of rear admiral. His mother, Sarah C. Perry Rodgers, was a daughter of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, who made history in Japan, and a niece of Commodore Oliver Hazzard Perry, whose classic "We have met the enemy and they are ours" is still a classic in naval tradition.

Since 1900, five active rear admirals in the Navy have been members of the Rodgers family.

John Augustus Rodgers was appointed to the Naval Academy by President in 1863 and he long served on active duty in the Navy. He died on March 2, 1933, at the age of 83, and was buried among other family members in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery.

The official crest of JOHN RODGERS symbolizes the service of three members of a prominent Navy family. The anchor represents the service of Commodore John Rodgers, who acted as President of the Board of Naval Commissioners, following the War of 1812, until 1837. His son, Rear Admiral John Rodgers, led exploring expeditions in Chinese waters and through the Bering Strait in 1855; the compass rose is symbolic of his service. Commander John Rodgers II, great-grandson of Commodore Rodgers, was a pioneer of Naval Aviation, and his service is alluded to by the wings.

The sea eagle, a sharp-eyed, marine bird-of-prey, represents the ship's primary mission of detection and tracking, with the addition of incredibly deadly striking ability. The three arrowheads refer to the multi-mission capabilities of the SPRUANCE Class destroyer, as well as the Naval service of the father, son, and great-grandson for whom the ship is named.

RODGERS, JOHN A
RR ADM U S NAVY RET
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
DATE OF DEATH: 03/02/1933
DATE OF INTERMENT: 03/06/1933
BURIED AT: SECTION WEST  SITE 130
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

RODGERS, ROBT C/O ROBT
DATE OF DEATH: 09/12/1873
DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
BURIED AT: SECTION FT MY  SITE 131
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
UNKNOWN RELATIONSHIP TO VETERAN 
PVT