Joseph Rogers is the father of Steven Grant Rogers. That alone is his legacy and claim to fame. He served his country with the 107th infantry for the US but was assumed killed during World War 1 in 1918, just before his son was to be born. The truth was, that much mustard gas should have killed him, but a German scientist had a team of guys scoop him off the field and rush him into the lab. He tried profusely to save him and gave him a very early version of what his son would later receive in a more pure form. Granted, it did keep him alive but the damage of mustard gas in his body had an effect already. If he had received it sooner, he might have been okay. Now he was enhanced, but also infected.
It took months after to help him to heal and the serum had an effect on speeding up the process. Once he was healed, they thought he might be the worldโs first known super soldier and that they could make their announcement that he had survived. That was until he started showing signs of these terrible rages he would go into. Violent rages where he could destroy everything in sight. They were unpredictable and they often kept him caged for extended periods of time to examine his behavior. He wanted to see his son.
Breaking free from the place, he did go to find his wife, Sarah and his son. She was stunned to see him and hoped he was home for good. He was fine when he was with his boy, but he was also a hunted man who was supposed to stay off the radar because once announced and assumed dead, the government couldnโt just have him show up somewhere.
He returned to the facility, knowing he needed the help but at least now, Sarah would write him and send him pictures of his son. He asked that Steve not know about him like this. A father that died a hero was better than a father in a cage as a lab rat. Besides, it would burden Steve with also having to keep his secret. He did not want that for his boy, or the military life.
He did not get his wish there though when World War 2 came about and Steve begged to enlist over and over. He knew his son was frail and was thankful he would not get in. That was until Dr. Erskine met Steve and knew who his father was and wanted to make things right. In Steve, he got the perfect effect of what he wanted and while the father was outraged at first, he was happy his son could have the benefits he had not. Granted, he had most of the good effects too, but the severe headaches and rages were bad side effects.
During the time his son was lost, Joseph was sent to Wakanda for a deep freeze until something could be done to stop the rages and headaches he suffered. It took a long time to come up with something, but King TโChaka had found a way to make Vibranium into an infused mist and let the man inhale it slowly three times a day. Not only did it change his headaches, making them never return, but it made him infinitely stronger. After the vibranium treatments, he was returned to deep freeze and monitored to see if any rages went on in his non-active state. Five years after, he was awakened and a free man with a new identity. He also found out that his son had been rescued and was alive as well. Now the wonder wasโฆ should he go find his long lost son? And if he did, would Steve even want to see him?
