AUBURN — More than three decades after his name first decorated a sign outside the New Auburn American Legion, Post 153 is finally — officially — named after the local guy who led the national organization: William Rogers.

“It was almost preordained,” said Emmet Stuart, a longtime officer at the post. “He was such a great guy.”

And he went so far.

During World War II, Rogers flew fighter planes in the Pacific, eventually flying more than 30 missions in some of the war’s most catastrophic battles. When he returned home, he helped create Post 153 in New Auburn. In 1976, after serving as a national vice commander, he led the Legion nationwide.

On Sunday, Rogers’ widow, Constance, and a group of family and friends will attend a dedication at the South Main Street post. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m.

“He’d be proud,” said Rogers’ son, Peter. “His heart and soul was in that post.”

The war gave Rogers an appreciation of every veteran, his son said.

Rogers enlisted in the U.S. Navy, quickly earning a commission and orders to the Pacific. He served aboard the carriers Bon Homme Richard and Shamrock Bay. The latter gave support to the bloody invasions of Guam and Iwo Jima.

Rogers flew F-6 Hellcats, F-7 Tigercats and F-8 Bearcats, taking off from the era’s wooden flight decks to put his life on the line. He earned an Air Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation.

When the war ended, he came home to Auburn and helped form the neighborhood Legion post. At first, they met in a nearby basement. Then they bought their current building, a former firehouse, from the city for $1.

Rogers became the post’s second commander. His portrait sits second among a long line of framed faces above the bar.

He didn’t stay in Auburn.

Rogers worked for the Maine Employment Security Commission before taking a job as a lobbyist with the United States Brewers Association Inc. in Washington. He retired from the organization in 1967, retiring as a vice president of public relations. He returned to Maine where he worked for veterans with the U.S. Department of Labor.

The work dove-tailed with a growing Legion role.

Souvenirs at the New Auburn Legion Post, displayed in a pair of new showcases, include invitations to the inaugurations of presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. Both took office before Rogers was named to the Legion’s top job.

When he received the title of national commander, his stature took a big jump. Other souvenirs show him with President Gerald Ford, Red Sox legend Ted Williams and TV stars Danny Thomas and William Conrad.

“I just remember being really proud of Dad,” said Peter Rogers, who was 14 in 1976. During his yearlong tenure as the commander, Rogers traveled all over the country and toured Europe.

That year, Post 153 erected its sign, proclaiming itself the home of the Legion’s national commander. Rogers stayed humble, though, never setting himself up as more important than any other man who served, said his son.

“He fully believed that every person deserved respect,” his son said. “My views are the same.”

Rogers also passed down his patriotism.

“We stood straight up when soldiers marched past in parades and we stood at attention when the flag went by,” said Peter Rogers, who followed his father into the military. He went into the Army and then the National Guard, retiring after 22 years as a major.

Peter Rogers currently serves as Maine’s deputy commissioner of the state Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.

His father continued to advocate for veterans, even when his health slid.

“He was still getting calls at his home in Kennebunk,” Peter Rogers said.

In April 2008, William Rogers died.

Almost immediately, leaders of the New Auburn post requested permission from the national organization to rename the post.

Emmet Stuart, a former post commander, knew Rogers.

“I never heard him say a bad word about anybody,” he said. “My only regret is that I didn’t know him well enough.”

[email protected]

Emmet Stuart, a member of American Legion Post 153 in Auburn, sets up a display of National Past Commander William J. Rogers mementos in preparation for a dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday to name the post the William J. Rogers Post 153.