College Station, TX — June 3, 2024 — This Thursday is the 80th anniversary of D-day, which has special meaning in the Brazos Valley, given the service and sacrifice of its residents during World War II. Almost 1,800 of the 5,000 identified Veterans buried in 60 Brazos County cemeteries served in World War II. Even though several were killed in action, many returned to their families and their communities.
College Station Cemetery is the final resting place of two such heroes.
Earl Rudder, TAMU’32 – As a 34-year LtCol, he commanded 255 Army Rangers at D-Day, whose mission was to neutralize the German guns atop Pointe Du Hoc. At 4:45am that morning, the first of 11 landing crafts began an hour-long trip through choppy seas toward their destination. A second landing craft capsized and 22 Rangers drown. At 6:45am, remaining Company C Rangers landed on Omaha Beach and fought their way to the base of the cliff to begin the 90-feet ascent to top. As a result of the assault, only 90 Rangers survived.
Ten years after the Rangers’ heroic D-Day deeds, COL Rudder took his 14-year son, Bud, there. Looking up at the cliff, Rudder asked, “Will you tell me how we did this? It was crazy then and it’s crazy now”
Rudder’s post-war career included leadership in government and higher education, with last position as President of Texas A&M, during a time of transition in the 60’s.
Rudder Tower is the height of Pointe du Hoc and houses Major General Rudder’s military medals. It also contains an inscription that remembers Rudder’s, “uncommon ability to inspire men and lead them to exceptional achievement”.
Eli Whiteley, TAMU’41 – While leading his Army infantry platoon, 1stLT Whiteley killed 9 Germans, captured 23 more and sustained critical injuries. His recovery took over 21 months.
After WWII, he returned to A&M completing a PhD soil physics in 1959. academic career.
In 1986, his obituary contained the following tribute: “Dr. Whiteley’s bravery in battle and lifelong dedication to this chosen profession – that of higher education – and to his family and his country personify the high ideals of Aggies everywhere. His life served as an example for all of us.”
WHAT: Placements of wreaths and 80 American flags for D-Day anniversary
WHERE: College Station Cemetery
WHEN: Th, June 6th, 6:45am (Permission for wreath placement at Rudder Tower is pending)
Right now, a group of Aggies, including BG Joe Rameriz and his wife, are on a European trip in honor for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.
For the 75th anniversary of D-Day, WAA Founder and other volunteers placed live balsam fir wreaths from Maine at all 9,387graves marked with white marble crosses at the American Cemetery at Normandy.
SAVE THE DATE: National Wreaths Across America Day 2024 will be held on Saturday, 12-14-2024,
which will be the 10th anniversary of WAA Brazos Valley.
For more information or to sponsor a wreath ($17 ea), through local WAA groups, please visit www.BrazosValleyWAA.org or email: waabrazosvalley@gmail.com
Courtesy of Wreaths Across America (WAA)
