Jesse Rutherford, Jr.

Jesse Rutherford, Jr.
Born	January 12, 1922(1922-01-12) Salmon, Idaho
Died	May 8, 1942(1942-05-08) (aged 20) Coral Sea
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1941–1942
Rank	Private
Unit	Lexington (CV-2)
Battles/wars	World War II *Battle of the Coral Sea
Awards	Navy Cross (posthumous)

Jesse Rutherford, Jr. was born January 12, 1922 in Salmon, Idaho.

Marine Corps career

Rutherford enlisted in the United States Marine Corps July 14, 1941. After undergoing basic training at San Diego, California, he reported to carrier Lexington November 8, 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, May 8, 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."

Awarded the Navy Cross

The stricken "Lady Lex" was finally sunk by friendly ships, and Private Rutherford was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.

Namesake

USS Jesse Rutherford (DE-347) was named in his honor. She was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Texas, November 22, 1943; launched January 29, 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Mary Rutherford, mother of Private Rutherford; and commissioned May 31, 1944, Lt. Comdr. B. M. Henry in command.

See also

	World War II portal
	United States Marine Corps portal
	Biography portal

References

This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• Jesse Rutherford, Jr.

Persondata
Name	Rutherford, Jesse, Jr.
Alternative names
Short description	United States Marine
Date of birth	January 12, 1922
Place of birth	Salmon, Idaho
Date of death	May 8, 1942
Place of death	Coral Sea