Chanute Tribune, 27 Oct 1942, Page 6
Word has been received here that Jess Junior Rutherford lost his life in action in Coral Sea, May 8. Rutherford was a gunman on the U.S.S. Lexington to which he was appointed October 30, 1941. Rutherford, 19 years old, enlisted July, 1941, at Portland, Oregon, having left Chanute three years ago to make his home there. While in Chanute he attended the schools here.
His parents and relatives after numerous inquiries, have determined that he was lost in action.
He leaves his mother, Mrs. Mary Rutherford; his father, Jess Rutherford, Chanute; two brothers, Earl and Otis Rutherford, Arkansas City, and four sisters, Mrs. W. M. Holman, Chanute, Mrs. Coleman Pillows, Picher, Okla., Mrs. K. C. Woodcock, Fresno, Calif., and Mrs. Lee Shearer, Patterson, Mo. Two nephews, Harold Dean Holman, who is in the navy; and Eugene Strong, who is in the army; and a niece, Mrs. R. Pittser, Kansas City, also survive.
****
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Jesse Rutherford, Jr., was born 12 January 1922 in Salmon, Idaho, and enlisted in the Marine Corps 14 July 1941. After undergoing basic training at San Diego, he reported to carrier Lexington 8 November 1941. Private Rutherford was on board during the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea, in which the Navy turned back the Japanese thrust toward Port Moresby and Australia. In this first great carrier action, during which neither force cited the other, American planes sank one Japanese carrier and damaged another; but, near the end of the battle, 8 May, Lexington was hit by two bombs and two torpedoes. Rutherford, a fuse setter in a gun mount, was seriously injured in the attack; but he remained at his post. In the language of his citation, "although mortally wounded by the fragments of a bursting bomb, he displayed outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, and valiantly remained at his station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck." The stricken "Lady Lex" was finally sunk by friendly ships, and Private Rutherford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.
****
The U. S. S. Jesse Rutherford named in his honor
USS Jesse Rutherford (DE-347) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket. Post-war, she returned home proudly with one battle star to her credit.
Jesse Rutherford was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas, 22 November 1943; launched 29 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Mary Rutherford, mother of Private Rutherford; and commissioned 31 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. B. M. Henry in command.
****
MILLER, RAYMOND AKA: JESSE RUTHERFORD, JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Raymond Miller, Jr. (307495), Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and meritorious devotion to duty as fuse setter of Battery Four on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. Although mortally wounded by fragments of a bursting bomb, Private Rutherford, displaying outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, valiantly remained at his battle station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck. His inspiring loyalty and utter disregard for his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. (NOTE: The Navy Cross was awarded to this Marine under the name Raymond Miller, though his true name was Jesse Rutherford, Jr.)
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on October 16, 1942
Born: at Salmon, Idaho (erroneously gave this location for his birth. Joined in Seattle, Washington under name of Raymond Miller because his mother wouldn't sign for him to join the service.)
Home Town: Portland, Oregon
****
Died Battle of Coral Sea,on the U. S. S. Lexington
World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Jesse Rutherford Jr Washington Private United States Marine Corps 8 May 1942 Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Jr Rutherford
Date of Loss: 8 May 1942
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: PVT
Service Number: 307495
Status: Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Rutherford Jr
Inducted From: Washington
Rank: Private
Combat Organization: United States Marine Corps
Death Date: 8 May 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
Navy Cross Medal
Word has been received here that Jess Junior Rutherford lost his life in action in Coral Sea, May 8. Rutherford was a gunman on the U.S.S. Lexington to which he was appointed October 30, 1941. Rutherford, 19 years old, enlisted July, 1941, at Portland, Oregon, having left Chanute three years ago to make his home there. While in Chanute he attended the schools here.
His parents and relatives after numerous inquiries, have determined that he was lost in action.
He leaves his mother, Mrs. Mary Rutherford; his father, Jess Rutherford, Chanute; two brothers, Earl and Otis Rutherford, Arkansas City, and four sisters, Mrs. W. M. Holman, Chanute, Mrs. Coleman Pillows, Picher, Okla., Mrs. K. C. Woodcock, Fresno, Calif., and Mrs. Lee Shearer, Patterson, Mo. Two nephews, Harold Dean Holman, who is in the navy; and Eugene Strong, who is in the army; and a niece, Mrs. R. Pittser, Kansas City, also survive.
****
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Jesse Rutherford, Jr., was born 12 January 1922 in Salmon, Idaho, and enlisted in the Marine Corps 14 July 1941. After undergoing basic training at San Diego, he reported to carrier Lexington 8 November 1941. Private Rutherford was on board during the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea, in which the Navy turned back the Japanese thrust toward Port Moresby and Australia. In this first great carrier action, during which neither force cited the other, American planes sank one Japanese carrier and damaged another; but, near the end of the battle, 8 May, Lexington was hit by two bombs and two torpedoes. Rutherford, a fuse setter in a gun mount, was seriously injured in the attack; but he remained at his post. In the language of his citation, "although mortally wounded by the fragments of a bursting bomb, he displayed outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, and valiantly remained at his station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck." The stricken "Lady Lex" was finally sunk by friendly ships, and Private Rutherford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.
****
The U. S. S. Jesse Rutherford named in his honor
USS Jesse Rutherford (DE-347) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket. Post-war, she returned home proudly with one battle star to her credit.
Jesse Rutherford was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas, 22 November 1943; launched 29 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Mary Rutherford, mother of Private Rutherford; and commissioned 31 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. B. M. Henry in command.
****
MILLER, RAYMOND AKA: JESSE RUTHERFORD, JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Raymond Miller, Jr. (307495), Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and meritorious devotion to duty as fuse setter of Battery Four on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. Although mortally wounded by fragments of a bursting bomb, Private Rutherford, displaying outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, valiantly remained at his battle station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck. His inspiring loyalty and utter disregard for his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. (NOTE: The Navy Cross was awarded to this Marine under the name Raymond Miller, though his true name was Jesse Rutherford, Jr.)
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on October 16, 1942
Born: at Salmon, Idaho (erroneously gave this location for his birth. Joined in Seattle, Washington under name of Raymond Miller because his mother wouldn't sign for him to join the service.)
Home Town: Portland, Oregon
****
Died Battle of Coral Sea,on the U. S. S. Lexington
World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Jesse Rutherford Jr Washington Private United States Marine Corps 8 May 1942 Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Jr Rutherford
Date of Loss: 8 May 1942
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: PVT
Service Number: 307495
Status: Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Rutherford Jr
Inducted From: Washington
Rank: Private
Combat Organization: United States Marine Corps
Death Date: 8 May 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
Navy Cross Medal
Chanute Tribune, 27 Oct 1942, Page 6
Word has been received here that Jess Junior Rutherford lost his life in action in Coral Sea, May 8. Rutherford was a gunman on the U.S.S. Lexington to which he was appointed October 30, 1941. Rutherford, 19 years old, enlisted July, 1941, at Portland, Oregon, having left Chanute three years ago to make his home there. While in Chanute he attended the schools here.
His parents and relatives after numerous inquiries, have determined that he was lost in action.
He leaves his mother, Mrs. Mary Rutherford; his father, Jess Rutherford, Chanute; two brothers, Earl and Otis Rutherford, Arkansas City, and four sisters, Mrs. W. M. Holman, Chanute, Mrs. Coleman Pillows, Picher, Okla., Mrs. K. C. Woodcock, Fresno, Calif., and Mrs. Lee Shearer, Patterson, Mo. Two nephews, Harold Dean Holman, who is in the navy; and Eugene Strong, who is in the army; and a niece, Mrs. R. Pittser, Kansas City, also survive.
****
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Jesse Rutherford, Jr., was born 12 January 1922 in Salmon, Idaho, and enlisted in the Marine Corps 14 July 1941. After undergoing basic training at San Diego, he reported to carrier Lexington 8 November 1941. Private Rutherford was on board during the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea, in which the Navy turned back the Japanese thrust toward Port Moresby and Australia. In this first great carrier action, during which neither force cited the other, American planes sank one Japanese carrier and damaged another; but, near the end of the battle, 8 May, Lexington was hit by two bombs and two torpedoes. Rutherford, a fuse setter in a gun mount, was seriously injured in the attack; but he remained at his post. In the language of his citation, "although mortally wounded by the fragments of a bursting bomb, he displayed outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, and valiantly remained at his station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck." The stricken "Lady Lex" was finally sunk by friendly ships, and Private Rutherford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.
****
The U. S. S. Jesse Rutherford named in his honor
USS Jesse Rutherford (DE-347) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket. Post-war, she returned home proudly with one battle star to her credit.
Jesse Rutherford was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas, 22 November 1943; launched 29 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Mary Rutherford, mother of Private Rutherford; and commissioned 31 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. B. M. Henry in command.
****
MILLER, RAYMOND AKA: JESSE RUTHERFORD, JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Raymond Miller, Jr. (307495), Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and meritorious devotion to duty as fuse setter of Battery Four on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. Although mortally wounded by fragments of a bursting bomb, Private Rutherford, displaying outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, valiantly remained at his battle station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck. His inspiring loyalty and utter disregard for his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. (NOTE: The Navy Cross was awarded to this Marine under the name Raymond Miller, though his true name was Jesse Rutherford, Jr.)
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on October 16, 1942
Born: at Salmon, Idaho (erroneously gave this location for his birth. Joined in Seattle, Washington under name of Raymond Miller because his mother wouldn't sign for him to join the service.)
Home Town: Portland, Oregon
****
Died Battle of Coral Sea,on the U. S. S. Lexington
World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Jesse Rutherford Jr Washington Private United States Marine Corps 8 May 1942 Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Jr Rutherford
Date of Loss: 8 May 1942
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: PVT
Service Number: 307495
Status: Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Rutherford Jr
Inducted From: Washington
Rank: Private
Combat Organization: United States Marine Corps
Death Date: 8 May 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
Navy Cross Medal
Word has been received here that Jess Junior Rutherford lost his life in action in Coral Sea, May 8. Rutherford was a gunman on the U.S.S. Lexington to which he was appointed October 30, 1941. Rutherford, 19 years old, enlisted July, 1941, at Portland, Oregon, having left Chanute three years ago to make his home there. While in Chanute he attended the schools here.
His parents and relatives after numerous inquiries, have determined that he was lost in action.
He leaves his mother, Mrs. Mary Rutherford; his father, Jess Rutherford, Chanute; two brothers, Earl and Otis Rutherford, Arkansas City, and four sisters, Mrs. W. M. Holman, Chanute, Mrs. Coleman Pillows, Picher, Okla., Mrs. K. C. Woodcock, Fresno, Calif., and Mrs. Lee Shearer, Patterson, Mo. Two nephews, Harold Dean Holman, who is in the navy; and Eugene Strong, who is in the army; and a niece, Mrs. R. Pittser, Kansas City, also survive.
****
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Jesse Rutherford, Jr., was born 12 January 1922 in Salmon, Idaho, and enlisted in the Marine Corps 14 July 1941. After undergoing basic training at San Diego, he reported to carrier Lexington 8 November 1941. Private Rutherford was on board during the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea, in which the Navy turned back the Japanese thrust toward Port Moresby and Australia. In this first great carrier action, during which neither force cited the other, American planes sank one Japanese carrier and damaged another; but, near the end of the battle, 8 May, Lexington was hit by two bombs and two torpedoes. Rutherford, a fuse setter in a gun mount, was seriously injured in the attack; but he remained at his post. In the language of his citation, "although mortally wounded by the fragments of a bursting bomb, he displayed outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, and valiantly remained at his station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck." The stricken "Lady Lex" was finally sunk by friendly ships, and Private Rutherford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.
****
The U. S. S. Jesse Rutherford named in his honor
USS Jesse Rutherford (DE-347) was a John C. Butler-class destroyer escort acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket. Post-war, she returned home proudly with one battle star to her credit.
Jesse Rutherford was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas, 22 November 1943; launched 29 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Mary Rutherford, mother of Private Rutherford; and commissioned 31 May 1944, Lt. Comdr. B. M. Henry in command.
****
MILLER, RAYMOND AKA: JESSE RUTHERFORD, JR.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Raymond Miller, Jr. (307495), Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and meritorious devotion to duty as fuse setter of Battery Four on the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-2), in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942. Although mortally wounded by fragments of a bursting bomb, Private Rutherford, displaying outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, valiantly remained at his battle station setting fuses until he collapsed on the deck. His inspiring loyalty and utter disregard for his own life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. (NOTE: The Navy Cross was awarded to this Marine under the name Raymond Miller, though his true name was Jesse Rutherford, Jr.)
Approved by the Secretary of the Navy on October 16, 1942
Born: at Salmon, Idaho (erroneously gave this location for his birth. Joined in Seattle, Washington under name of Raymond Miller because his mother wouldn't sign for him to join the service.)
Home Town: Portland, Oregon
****
Died Battle of Coral Sea,on the U. S. S. Lexington
World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Jesse Rutherford Jr Washington Private United States Marine Corps 8 May 1942 Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Jr Rutherford
Date of Loss: 8 May 1942
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Rank: PVT
Service Number: 307495
Status: Missing in Action
Name: Jesse Rutherford Jr
Inducted From: Washington
Rank: Private
Combat Organization: United States Marine Corps
Death Date: 8 May 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
Navy Cross Medal
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Washington.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
