Tarleton gains approval to rename Vanderbilt Street as Rudder Way

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STEPHENVILLE (February 11, 2016) — To honor one of the U.S. Army’s most decorated soldiers in World War II and later president of Texas A&M University, Tarleton State University will rename Vanderbilt Street on its Stephenville campus as Rudder Way.

The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System today approved the renaming in honor of Gen. James Earl Rudder.

Rudder attended John Tarleton Agricultural College in 1928 and 1929 before completing his bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M. He returned to Tarleton as the head football coach and an instructor in 1938, leaving in 1941 when called to active duty as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Rudder distinguished himself as a leader during WWII, commanding the Army’s 2nd Ranger Battalion, which played a major role in the D-Day invasion. He also commanded the 109th Infantry Regiment at the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, French Legion of Honor with Croix de guerre and palm, and other honors.

Gen. James Earl Rudder
Gen. James Earl Rudder

Rudder’s commitment to service did not end when he left active military duty. He served as mayor of Brady, Texas, for six years while working in the aviation industry. In 1955, he became commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas. He joined Texas A&M University as a vice president in 1958, became its president in 1959 and served as president of The Texas A&M University System from 1965 until his death in 1970.

President Lyndon Johnson presented Rudder the Distinguished Service Medal, the highest peacetime service award, in 1967.

“By renaming Vanderbilt Street as Rudder Way, Tarleton will make a well-deserved tribute to an outstanding alumnus and a gifted leader who had a significant impact on the nation, the state of Texas and The Texas A&M University System,” said Tarleton President Dr. F. Dominic Dottavio.

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