Robert L. Rutherford

Robert Lynn Rutherford (December 11, 1938 – July 4, 2013) was a general in the United States Air Force who served as commander of the United States Transportation Command and of Pacific Air Forces. He was born in Luling, Texas.

Military career Early career Rutherford entered the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1961 as a distinguished graduate of Texas State University's Reserve Officer Training Corps program. While in college, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. Upon graduation he married his college sweetheart Grace (Kita) Hyatt. They had two sons, Jim and Greg, and were happily married for more than 50 years. After graduation, he was a student in undergraduate pilot training, then flight instructor at Reese Air Force Base in Texas. During this time, he instructed students in the T-38 Talon. 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 with the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. During this time, he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, where he flew 161 combat missions during the Vietnam War, including 101 over North Vietnam.

Post-Vietnam From May 1968 to January 1971 Rutherford was the operations staff officer, Airspace and Air Traffic Control Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Air Training Command, at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. From January 1971 to July 1971, he earned a degree from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Between July 1971 and May 1972, he was the staff officer, Colonels Group, directorate of personnel, at the Headquarters of the United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. During the period between June 1972 and May 1973, he was the chief, critical skill management division, Colonels Group, Directorate of Personnel, USAF Headquarters, Washington, D.C. From May 1973 to February 1975, he acted as the chief, Regular General Officer Assignment Division, Directorate of Personnel, USAF Headquarters. Between February and September 1975, he was a T-38 instructor pilot and commander of the 71st Flying Training Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. From September 1975 to July 1978, Robert served as the deputy commander for operations, 38th Flying Training Wing; assistant deputy commander for operations, 347th Tactical Fighter Wing; commander, 339th Tactical Fighter Squadron; commander, 347th Combat Support Group at Moody. Between August 1978 to July 1979, he attended the Air War College at Maxwell. In 1979, he earned a master's degree in business administration at Auburn University. He is interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

Effective dates of promotion