Following designation as a Naval Flight Officer in April 1970, he was assigned to Attack Squadron Forty Two at NAS Oceana, VA for qualification as a Bombardier/Navigator in the A-6 Intruder all-weather attack aircraft.  In February 1971, he joined VA-75 aboard USS SARATOGA (CV-60), making one Mediterranean deployment followed by a combat cruise to Southeast Asia in 1972.  On September 6, 1972, LT Lerseth was forced to eject from his battle-damaged aircraft near Haiphong, North Vietnam on his 96^th combat mission.  He was then held in the infamous Hoa Lo prison in Hanoi until his release on 12 February 1973.  Following release, he was assigned to Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA to recover from injuries received during ejection and capture.  In September 1975, he received his MBA in Financial Management from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.  In March 1976, he joined VA-35 and participated in the first two deployments of the nuclear carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN-68).  In January 1979 he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy as an instructor and academic advisor.

 LCDR Lerseth reported to NAS Whidbey Island, WA, for training in the A-6E TRAM aircraft in January 1981, and then served as Operations Officer for VA-95 aboard USS AMERICA (CVA-66) and USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65).  Recurring medical problems from his combat injuries forced his removal from flight status in September 1982 and led to a tour with COMMATVAQWINGPAC as the A-6 Plans and Programs Manager through January 1984.  He subsequently served as Officer in Charge of Naval Support Activity Naples Detachment Gaeta, Italy, where he was nominated for the CINCUSNAVEUR Leadership Award in 1985.  CDR Lerseth was then assigned as the Special Assistant to the Technical Director at the Naval Center for Cost Analysis in 1987.   During that tour he was selected for the Naval War College Foundation Award as the outstanding off-campus graduate in 1990.  He then joined the faculty of the Naval War College in Newport, RI, where he served until his retirement from active service in 1994.  He has recently completed his a Ph.D. in Political Science (International Relations) at Boston University.

Roger has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (five awards), the Bronze Star w/combat V, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), five individual and seven Strike/Flight Air Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal w/combat V (two awards), and the Naval Achievement Medal, among other personal and unit citations.