Internationally known military historian Dr. Thomas M. Hatfield will share the life and legacy of Tarleton State University Alumnus, former Texas A&M System Chancellor and World War II war hero, General James Earl Rudder.

Rudder started college at Tarleton in 1927 and graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station. He later returned to Tarleton in 1938 as a teacher and head football coach. He remained at Tarleton until 1941, when he was called into active military duty.

To remember Rudder and to celebrate Tarleton State University’s yearlong 2017 Centennial celebration as a founding member of Texas A&M System. Hatfield was asked to give his insight on Rudder.

Hatfield served under Rudder as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and decades later wrote his biography on Rudder.

The two men never actually met, but instead were around one another several times in different circumstances. In both circumstances, Gen. Rudder was “always in a hurry,” Hatfield says. But Rudder was a natural born leader and “you would just naturally wanted to be around him and follow him” Hatfield says.

Even though they were around each other the two never became friends. According to Hatfield they weren’t even on a first name basis.

Being at Tarleton for his first year, Rudder failed, and was financially unstable. “But by failing him, Tarleton did him a great favor. In all his future challenges, he never failed again,” Hatfield said.

Dr. Hatfield holds Rudder in high regard because “he was a person of character.” He knew right from wrong
and had the courage to do the right thing. Dr. Hatfield says Rudder defined courage as “[the] ability to do the right thing, regardless of what’s happening.”

Hatfield hopes the Tarleton community comes out to hear the legacy of Rudder.

Hatfield’s presentation over Gen. Rudder will be on Monday Feb. 13th at 7 p.m. in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center. The event is open to the public and free of charge.