Luling in Caldwell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Robert "Skip" Rutherford
Four Star General of US Air Force United States Transportation Commander
Photographed By James Hulse, August 21, 2022
1. Robert "Skip" Rutherford Marker
Inscription.
Robert "Skip" Rutherford. Four Star General of US Air Force United States Transportation Commander. "Skip" Rutherford, a native of Luling might not have been a man of many words, but what came from his mouth was "solid oak" according to former colleagues of the 4 Star General. His fascination with airplanes led him to enter the Air Force in 1961 after graduation from Southwest Texas State University. His pilot training came easy and he quickly became a flight instructor at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. General Rutherford's rise through the ranks included stints as a fighter pilot of 161 combat missions, many of which were over North Vietnam, and as commander of squadrons and Air Force Bases all around the world. He soared through the ranks due to his strong integrity and influential tendencies, and he was well respected by all. His influence and decisiveness helped persuade decision makers at the highest levels of government to purchase more C-17 transport planes in 1990's, which paid off big after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks due to their ability to operate in undeveloped areas and supply war zones during the "War on Terror". General Rutherford, the devout family man retired in 1996 and died of natural causes in July of 2013.
"Skip" Rutherford, a native of Luling might not have been a man of many words, but what came from his mouth was "solid oak" according to former colleagues of the 4 Star General. His fascination with airplanes led him to enter the Air Force in 1961 after graduation from Southwest Texas State University. His pilot training came easy and he quickly became a flight instructor at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. General Rutherford's rise through the ranks included stints as a fighter pilot of 161 combat missions, many of which were over North Vietnam, and as commander of squadrons and Air Force Bases all around the world. He soared through the ranks due to his strong integrity and influential tendencies, and he was well respected by all. His influence and decisiveness helped persuade decision makers at the highest levels of government to purchase more C-17 transport planes in 1990's, which paid off big after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks due to their ability to operate in undeveloped areas and supply war zones during the "War on Terror". General Rutherford, the devout family man retired in 1996 and died of natural causes in July of 2013.
Erected by Luling Main Street.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2013.
Location.
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29° 40.882′ N, 97° 38.945′ W. Marker is in Luling, Texas, in Caldwell County. Marker is at the intersection of East Davis Street and Laurel Avenue, on the left when traveling west on East Davis Street. The marker is located in the eastern section of the Rafael Rios Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Luling TX 78648, United States of America. Touch for directions.
In 1964, he graduated from the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base. From October 1966 to April 1967, Rutherford was an F-4 Phantom pilot with the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, at George Air Force Base in California. From April to July 1967, he was an F-4 aircraft commander with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. From July 1967 to May 1968, he was a Phantom commander
Photographed By James Hulse, August 21, 2022
2. Robert "Skip" Rutherford Marker
with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. During this time, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he flew 161 combat missions, including 101 over North Vietnam.
(Submitted on August 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, August 21, 2022
3. The view of the Robert "Skip" Rutherford Marker from the street
The marker is the middle marker next to the clock.
Public Domain - US Air Force Photo
4. General Robert L. Rutherford
Credits. This page was last revised on August 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
