rudder's ranger who later became a nj lawyer

What is rudder’s Rangers?

A special training unit within the Corps of Cadets, known as "Rudder's Rangers", is named in his honor. Cadets within the Corps of Cadets at A&M are expected to be able to recite an excerpt from the inscription on Rudder Tower, a "Campusology" that reads:

Who is General Rudder?

General Rudder also at various times served as Texas Land Commissioner, the 16th president of Texas A&M University, third president of the Texas A&M University System, mayor of Brady, Texas, and a high school and college teacher and coach.

What happened to James Rudder after the war?

After the war, Rudder was a busy man. He settled in Brady, Texas where he was vice president of an aviation company and also served as Brady mayor for six years. Texas A&M President Gen. James Earl Rudder pictured in the 1964 Aggieland yearbook.

What did John Rudder do for Texas A&M University?

Rudder won the 1956 state land commissioner election as a Democrat. He became vice president of Texas A&M University in 1958 and was named its president in 1959. He was president of the entire A&M System from 1965 until his death in 1970.

Where did Rudder live?

Rudder, a native of tiny Eden in Central Texas, would go on to fight in the historic Battle of the Bulge and was eventually awarded numerous medals for his legendary career. After the war, Rudder was a busy man. He settled in Brady, Texas where he was vice president of an aviation company and also served as Brady mayor for six years.

How did James Earl Rudder die?

On March 23, 1970 he suffered a brain hemorrhage that proved to be fatal. He was only 59. Numerous monuments are present in Texas and at Pointe du Hoc to celebrate the remarkable life of James Earl Rudder. A line from one of these perhaps best defines the man:

How many Rangers lived to fight another day?

James Earl Rudder stands in front of Rudder Tower at the south end of Military Walk. Rudder and his men captured the site, but at no small cost. Only 90 Rangers lived to fight another day.

When did Rudder return to Texas A&M?

He returned to Texas A&M in 1958, serving as a vice president and then assuming the school’s presidency in 1959. As Texas A&M president, Rudder made a monumental decision that would change the school forever.

What was the mission of Rudder during D-Day?

The D-Day Invasion had begun, and Rudder, a member of the Texas A&M class of 1932, had a key assignment – capture and secure the cliffs known as Pointe du Hoc. The strategic landmark hid huge German cannons that could devastate Allied troops on ships as far as 14 miles away as they attempted their beach landing.

Who was the first Lieutenant to join the Rangers?

At around 2100, the Rangers received reinforcements with the arrival of First Lieutenant Charles H. Parker and his 1st Platoon, Company A, 5th Ranger Battalion, which had become separated in the confusion at Omaha Beach and marched overland to Pointe du Hoc.

When did Rudder's Rangers and the Boys of Pointe du Hoc take place?

Rudder’s Rangers and the Boys of Pointe du Hoc: The U.S. Army Rangers’ Mission in the Early Morning Hours of 6 June 1944 – The Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army.

What was Pointe du Hoc defended by?

Defended by elements of the 716th and 352d Infantry Divisions, along with artillerymen, Pointe du Hoc became a heavily fortified bastion for the Wehrmacht that threatened the lives of the thousands of American soldiers who would soon be landing on the nearby beachheads.

What was the most dangerous German defensive position on the Norman coast?

As such, Allied planners named Pointe du Hoc one of the most dangerous German defensive positions on the Norman coast. Early on in the war, following their defeat of France in June 1940 and occupation of the northern part of the country, the Germans came to understand the strategic importance of Pointe du Hoc.

How many soldiers were in the 2nd Ranger Battalion?

On D-Day, Rudder and his force from the 2d Ranger Battalion, made up of 225 soldiers, along with Lieutenant Colonel Max Schneider and the 5th Ranger Battalion in support, would carry out the mission to scale these cliffs before dawn on that fateful day and neutralize enemy positions atop Pointe du Hoc.

How many LCAs did Schneider land safely?

Despite the intense artillery fire that covered their approach, thirteen of the fourteen LCAs in Schneider’s force landed safely, with the 5th Ranger Battalion suffering six casualties.

What was the primary tool of choice when ascending the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc?

Rocket-fired, grapnel-equipped ropes eventually become the primary tool of choice when ascending the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc. In the weeks leading up to D-Day, the Rangers trained, developed, and tested their newly formed skills on various cliffs along the English coast and on the Isle of Wight.