World War II Honoree

James Earl Rudder

Hometown

Eden, Texas

Honored By

J. Rudder

Relationship

Wife

Infantry. Commanded Ranger Force, 2nd and 5th Battalions in D-Day Invasion June 6, 1944. Commanded 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division in the Battle of the Bulge. Led his Ranger troops up the 100 foot cliffs at Pointe du Hoc Normandy, France to silence the six 155mm German guns so the troops could land on Omaha and Utah beaches. Wounded twice on D-Day but stayed in command. For this he received the Distinguished Service Cross as well as a Presidential Unit Citation. Eight days before the start of the Battle of the Bulge, given command of the 109th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Division. Regiment was credited with blunting the German attack.