James Earl Rudder

James Earl Rudder. May 6, 1910 - March 23, 1970. Born in Eden, Texas, the son of Dee Forest and Annie Powell Rudder. Was graduated from the A&M College of Texas in 1932 and commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry. Was a teacher, coach, area rancher and businessman. Served as mayor of the City of Brady, Texas. , , Organized and personally led the 2nd Ranger Battalion (and elements of the 5th Ranger Battalion) in an assault on the 100-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoe during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, June 1944. Wounded twice by enemy fire that cut down half his command. Said General Omar Bradley, “No soldier in my command has ever been wished a more difficult task than that which befell the 34-year-old Rudder …” Named commander of the 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, which played a major role in repulsing Germany’s last great counter-offensive, the Battle of the Bulge. Retired in 1967 as a major general after 35 years of active and reserve service. Military decorations included Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, French Legion of Honor with Croix de Guerre and Palm, Belgian Order of Leopold with Croix de Guerre and Palm. , , Appointed commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas in 1955. Restored confidence in Veteran’s Land Affairs while in that public office and significantly increased the financial foundation of Texas’ educational system. , , Named vice president of Texas A&M in 1958. Selected 14th president of Texas A&M in 1959 and additionally, president of the Texas A&M University System in 1965. His decade of dedicated leadership earned for him the title “The Builder of A&M”, a tribute to the advancements of the university under his wise and stable administration. , , Married in 1937 to Margaret E. Williamson of Menard, Texas. Their children: James Earl, Jr., Anne, Linda, Jane and Robert.