MAYPORT, Florida - A 2003 LaGrange High School graduate and LaGrange, Georgia, native is serving aboard the future USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), an Arleigh Burke class destroyer homeported in Mayport, Florida.
“The work isn’t too strenuous,” said Rutledge. “I enjoy being able to frequently meet new people and not be stuck doing the same job in the same place for years on end.”
Thomas Hudner is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer that provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface environments.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the US Navy’s most powerful destroyer fleet. These highly-capable, multi-mission ships conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security. Ships like USS Thomas Hudner operate forward in every ocean of the world to keep our Nation secure by meeting threats abroad before they can harm us here at home.
Rutledge has carried lessons learned growing up in LaGrange into his military service.
“My hometown is made up of blue collar, hardworking individuals that value earning good results,” Rutledge said.
The Surface Force is focused on providing lethal, ready, well-trained, and logistically supported surface forces to fight today and in the future. The highly professional men and women serving aboard USS Thomas Hudner are some of our nation’s best and brightest, and are typical of the talented Sailors on duty in our Navy around the world today. They are prepared to go into harm’s way, properly trained, and ready to carry out orders in defense of our nation’s freedom.
“Thomas J. Hudner Jr., a naval aviator who retired as a captain, received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman for displaying uncommon valor during an attack on his element leader, the first African American naval aviator to fly in combat, Ensign Jesse L. Brown,” said Cmdr. Nathan W. Scherry, the ship’s commanding officer. “On May 7, 2012, Secretary of the Navy Mabus announced that DDG 116 would be named in Captain Hudner's honor. Today, as the Navy's finest 300 Sailors crew the 66th Arleigh Burke Class destroyer, they do so with a tremendous amount of honor, pride, and sense of duty. We are extremely honored to be able to carry Captain Hudner's values and legacy forward so that they are never forgotten. We are proud to be able to carry out our missions in defense of our country's freedom and values, and humbled to be part of the Hudner family.”
Rutledge’s proudest Navy accomplishment serving his country just shy of a decade.
“I am the first of my family to sign up for the service, it has allowed me to forge a new path and has made all the difference in my life,” Rutledge said.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s high-tech and lethal surface combatant ships, Rutledge and other Thomas Hudner Sailors are proud to be part of a warfighting team.
“Service means being a 24/7 role model,” Rutledge said. “It means being a part of something bigger than myself and having a family away from family.”
Thomas Hudner is the 66th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and the 36th DDG 51 class destroyer built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW). It is the first warship named for U.S. Navy Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.
On Dec. 4, 1950, then Lt. j.g. Thomas Hudner and his element leader, Ensign Jesse L. Brown were among a group of six pilots on patrol near the Chosin Reservoir when Brown's F4U Corsair was struck by ground fire from Chinese troops and crashed. In an attempt to save Brown from his burning aircraft, Hudner intentionally crash-landed his own aircraft on a snowy mountain in freezing temperatures to help Brown. In spite of these efforts, Brown died of his injuries and Hudner was forced to evacuate, having also been injured in the landing. Hudner received the Medal of Honor for his actions in trying to save the life of his element leader, shipmate, and friend during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War.
The warship will be officially placed into active service at a December 1 commissioning ceremony in Boston, the nearest harbor to the hometown of its heroic namesake, Fall River, Massachusetts - a fitting tribute to an American hero. The ceremony includes “bringing the ship to life” and other orders rooted in centuries old naval tradition.
For information about the commissioning ceremony, visit https://www.usshudnerddg116.org/.
On Dec. 4, 1950, then Lt. j.g. Thomas Hudner and his element leader, Ensign Jesse L. Brown were among a group of six pilots on patrol near the Chosin Reservoir when Brown's F4U Corsair was struck by ground fire from Chinese troops and crashed. In an attempt to save Brown from his burning aircraft, Hudner intentionally crash-landed his own aircraft on a snowy mountain in freezing temperatures to help Brown. In spite of these efforts, Brown died of his injuries and Hudner was forced to evacuate, having also been injured in the landing. Hudner received the Medal of Honor for his actions in trying to save the life of his element leader, shipmate, and friend during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War.
The warship will be officially placed into active service at a December 1 commissioning ceremony in Boston, the nearest harbor to the hometown of its heroic namesake, Fall River, Massachusetts - a fitting tribute to an American hero. The ceremony includes “bringing the ship to life” and other orders rooted in centuries old naval tradition.
For information about the commissioning ceremony, visit https://www.usshudnerddg116.org/.