Senate Resolution 6

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GALLANT SERVICE OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN JACK H. RUTLAND OF BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI, AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, Jack H. Rutland, born June 6, 1920, in rural Lawrence County to Will and Florence Rutland, graduated from Jayess High School in 1939; and

WHEREAS, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp on September 26, 1940, prior to the start of World War II and was stationed at New Orleans Air Field. After the start of the war, he served with the 8th Air Force in England. Then he was assigned to the 12th Air Force for the invasion of North Africa and participated in the Tunisian and Algerian/French Morocco campaigns. He was then assigned to the 38th Air Service Group 15th Air Force in Italy serving in the Mapples/Foggia and Rome/Arno campaigns in all 35 months in overseas theater duty during World War II. At the end of the war, he remained in the Air Force until retiring after 21 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rutland's military commendations are listed as follows: AF Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, AF Outstanding Unit Award, AF Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (5 Bronze Knots), American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European Campaign Medal (5 Battle Stars), World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award and AF Small Arms Expert Ribbon; and

WHEREAS, he retired as a Master Sergeant in the Strategic Air Command stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in September of 1961. Upon retirement he returned to farming and operated a feed mill in Jayess, Mississippi, until 1971 at which time he became employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the Boll Weevil Eradication Program in Mississippi and Arkansas. In 1978 when that program ended, Mr. Rutland became employed by the Mississippi Employment Security Commission in Brookhaven, Mississippi, until 1984; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rutland was married to Evelyn B. Smith of New Hebron for 47 years until her death. They were both active members of Jayess Baptist Church. Mr. Jack and Mrs. Evelyn, as they were known in the community, were known for their caring and Christian attitude; and

WHEREAS, they are the parents of 3 sons, Don Rutland who is a Rural Mail Carrier; Col. Ron Rutland, U.S. Air Force Reserve, 512 Airlift Wing Commander, Dover Air Force Base; and Jack Rutland, Jr., Officer at State Bank and Trust Company. Mr. Rutland is currently a resident of Brookhaven, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the service of this veteran whose generation was the guardian as we know it today:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the gallant service of World War II Veteran, Jack H. Rutland, Brookhaven, Mississippi, and congratulate him upon the occasion of his 85th birthday.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Jack Rutland and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.