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.
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.
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. He assumed this role on 7 July 2011. He was succeeded by Paul K. Hurley on 22 May 2015.
He currently serves as the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Albany.
Awards and decorations Rutherford's awards and decorations include:
Combat Action BadgeBasic Parachutist BadgeArmy Staff Identification Badge82nd Airborne Division Combat Service Identification BadgeU.S. Army Chaplain Corps Distinctive Unit Insignia4 Overseas Service Bars Army Distinguished Service MedalLegion of Merit (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal (with four bronze oak leaf clusters)Army Commendation MedalArmy Achievement MedalArmy Presidential Unit CitationJoint Meritorious Unit AwardValorous Unit AwardArmy Reserve Components Achievement MedalNational Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star)Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal (with two bronze service stars)Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalArmed Forces Reserve MedalArmy Service RibbonOverseas Service RibbonKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
See also Armed Forces Chaplains Board Chiefs of Chaplains of the United States
References
External links
U.S. Army biography