More detail on this person: Colonel Joseph F.
"Joe" Rutkowski, United States Army Retired,
Enterprise, AL died on Friday, June 3, 2011 at his
residence in Enterprise. He was 81. Funeral
services with full military honors were held on
June 6, 2011 at the new Wings Chapel at Fort
Rucker with Chaplain Colonel Dennis R. Newton
officiating and Major General Retired Richard
Kenyon providing the eulogy. Burial will be on
September 20, 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery
with Sorrells Funeral Home of Enterprise
directing. Colonel Rutkowski was born December
3, 1928 in New York to the late Joseph and
Kasmira Rutkowski. He enlisted in the U.S. Army
in 1946 at the age of 17; he attended Officer
Candidate School, and Army Flight Training.
During his first tour in Vietnam, in 1967, he flew
with and commanded the 178th Aviation Company
(ASH). During his 2nd tour of duty in Vietnam,
1970-1971, he commanded the 14th Combat
Aviation Battalion and deployed the unit from Chu
Lai to Quang Tri for Operation Lam Son 719. He
earned the Silver Star on 3 March, 1971 for the
rescue of several wounded Vietnamese troops. He
and his battalion eventually received the Valorous
Unit Award with the streamer embroidered HO CHI
MINH TRAIL. His other decorations include three
Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star for
Valor and numerous Air Medals. When the 14th
Aviation Battalion left Vietnam, he carried the
Battalion Colors home. After his return, he
served at the Pentagon. His last duty assignment
was as Director of all Training at Ft. Rucker.
Although his military service as well as community
service did not stop, he retired in January 1983.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Rutkowski,
Enterprise, daughter: Alexis R. McCullors (Gary),
Arab, AL, son: Brent Rutkowski, Enterprise,
grandson: Michael and granddaughter Dawn Marie
Minton, brother: Walter Rutkowski, Maine N.Y., and
several nieces and nephews.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer
Society in his name.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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