PVT Arthur E. Rutherford
Today we honor and remember PVT Arthur E. Rutherford of the 101st Airborne Division.
Private (PVT) Arthur Ellsworth Rutherford of George Company, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Mogadore, Summit County, Ohio, on March 7, 1911. His parents were Robert Clyde and Ruth Marie (Holl) Rutherford. Arthur was the oldest of three children. He had one brother, Glenn Elwood Rutherford (1915 – 1999), and one sister, named Dorothy Louise Rutherford (1917 – 1978).
Arthur was a graduate of Talmadge High School, in Talmadge, Ohio. Tallmadge High School was established in 1879. Before entering the service, he was employed by the Erie Railroad Company.
Arthur Rutherford enlisted at Camp Perry, Lacarne, Ohio, on March 25, 1942. Prior to his enlistment, he married Christine Diem at Summit, Ohio, on December 26, 1941.
In the late afternoon of June 6, PVT Arthur Rutherford lands in Normandy. Not by glider as his company has trained with all the time, but at Utah Beach with a landing craft. In Normandy, he would be involved in several tough combat days with George Company until he was killed in action.
In August 1944, the family was clinging to the hope that PVT Rutherford was still alive due to the discrepancy in the messages they received from the War Department. The first message they received listed him as “Missing in Action” on June 17, which was confirmed by the Morning Report of June 29.
The family was later informed he was Killed in Action on June 23, which was later corrected to June 21.
Apparently, on that day, PVT Rutherford was indeed killed near Carentan, Normandy, France. His death, on that day, and the location, is confirmed in Kevin Brook’s book, quoting PFC Don Rich of George Company: “Out of my squad, five are dead; […] Art Rutherford and Gilbert Walloch, KIA June 21. When the squad was ordered to pull back in Carentan, Rutherford wouldn’t, and Walloch stayed with him.”
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
PVT Arthur E. Rutherford rests eternally at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, at Plot C, Row 3, Grave 4. He left behind his wife Christine, his parents, and a younger brother and sister.
Almost two months to a day from Private Arthur Rutherford’s untimely death, his family received another heart-rendering message about his cousin PFC John W. Rutherford of Tallmadge. While fighting with the 13th Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Division in France, he was killed in action on August 25. Rest in Peace, soldier. You are not forgotten.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Arthur.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸
Resources
Glider Infantryman: Behind Enemy Lines in World War II (by: Donald J. Rich and Kevin W. Brooks)
The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio), Tuesday, August 1, 1944 (Courtesy of Judy Cahoon Egan).
The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio), Saturday, September 16, 1944 (Courtesy of Judy Cahoon Egan).