RUTKOWSKI JOSEPH F

COL Joseph F. Rutkowski was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/03/2011 at the age of 82.5 from Cancer
Enterprise, AL
Flight Class 56-11
Date of Birth 12/03/1928
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 173 AHC in 67, 178 ASHC in 67, 14 CAB in 70-71
Call signs in Vietnam BOXCAR 6, ARAB 6
This information was provided by Doug Womack

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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