Donald L. Rutherford


Donald L. Rutherford
Official portrait of CH (MG) Rutherford, 2011
Born (1955-08-04) 4 August 1955
Kinderhook, New York, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Branch
Years of service1977–2015
RankMajor general
CommandsU.S. Army Chaplain Corps (CCH)
Battles / wars
Awards
Alma mater
ChurchCatholic (Latin Church)
Orders
Ordination1981
by Howard Hubbard

Donald L. Rutherford (born 4 August 1955) is an American Army officer and a Roman Catholic priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany who served as the 23rd Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army.

Biography

Rutherford attended the State University of New York, where he was a member of the ROTC program. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology. After receiving a delay of duty so that he could enter priestly formation at Saint Bernard's Seminary, Rutherford was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Albany in 1981. After ordination, he served in the United States Army Reserves as chaplain to the 364th General Hospital. He entered active duty in 1990.[1]

Rutherford served in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Hurricane Andrew Relief, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as chaplain to United States Army Europe and the 7th Army, Camp Victory, XVIII Airborne Corps, the 3rd Infantry Division, and the 82nd Airborne Division.[1]

On 18 February 2011, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced that Rutherford was nominated for promotion to major general and assignment of Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army.[2] He assumed this role on 7 July 2011.[3][1] He was succeeded by Paul K. Hurley on 22 May 2015.[4]

He currently serves as the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Albany.[5]

Awards and decorations

Rutherford's awards and decorations include:[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Biography of Chaplain (Major General) Donald L. Rutherford" (PDF). United States Army. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  2. ^ Carleton Birch, OCCH (February 18, 2011). "Deputy Chief of Chaplains nominated for second star". www.army.mil. United States Army. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  3. ^ Chelsea Place, Pentagram Newspaper (July 22, 2011). "Rutherford assumes role as chief of Army chaplains". www.army.mil. United States Army. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  4. ^ Julia LeDoux, Pentagram Staff Writer (May 28, 2015). "Hurley installed as new Army chief of chaplains, pins on two stars". www.army.mil. United States Army. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  5. ^ "Vicar for the Clergy". Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Archived from the original on Sep 6, 2024.