Alfred Eugene Rucker

June 10, 1942 - December 1, 2016

U.S. Army Retired Command Sgt. Major Alfred Eugene Rucker, 74, of Radcliff, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016,
at Hardin Memorial Hospital.

He was veteran of Vietnam and a Purple Heart recipient.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann Rucker of Radcliff; three daughters, Saundra (Russell) Minor of Tacoma, Washington,
Veronica (Keith) Debraux of Columbus, Ohio, and Christina Rucker of Radcliff; two sons, Christopher Gillette and Isaac Jemison,
both of of Radcliff; two brothers, Wendell Thorton of California and Hezekiah (Charlene) Rucker Jr. of Dayton, Ohio;
three sisters, Ramona Carter of Huntsville, Alabama, Vanessa (Warren) Johnson of Huntsville, Alabama, and
Melva Dawn (Gary) Jackson of Woodbridge, Virginia; two brothers-in-law, Ted Gillette and Travis Gillette,
both of South Dakota; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two best friends, Michael Webb and Joel Winters;
and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2016, at Nelson-Edelen-Bennett Funeral Home in Radcliff.

Obituary from The News-Enterprise website

Al Rucker

Members of Company A 1/22 Infantry in Vietnam
Al Rucker is second from the left

Alfred Eugene Rucker was born on June 10, 1942, and is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He came from a very humble beginning,
but his journey to the pinnacle of the enlisted corps left a trail of big footprints. But growing up he never visualized himself as a soldier.
He was drafted in the Army of the United States in September 1961, graduated from Basic Combat Training followed by Advanced Individual
Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia as a Communication Specialist. It was here that he excelled and his remarkable journey to becoming one
of the most renowned sergeants major of his time began. Among his many assignments included service with the 2nd Squadron, 15th Cavalry;
4th Cavalry; 9th Cavalry, 7th Infantry Division; 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington and in
Vietnam; United States Army Training Center-Fort Campbell; 4th Training Brigade-Fort Lewis; 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam;
1st Battalion, 1st Training Brigade-Fort Polk; 2nd Infantry Division; 5th Infantry Division; 2nd Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade; and with
United States Army Readiness Command as a Command Sergeant Major.

His awards and decorations include the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal,
Army Commendation Medal and numerous foreign and service awards. He has also been awarded the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.

On December 1, 2016, at the age of 74, he received Permanent Change of Station orders from God. There was no need to pack his
personal items, contact the transportation office, or the finance office. Everything had been prepared for his departure.
His departure time was set for a full military honors burial in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery-Central in Radcliff, Kentucky.
Since his orders did not provide for concurrent travel, he had to leave his loving family behind. His DD 214 has been closed.

Extracted from the book titled: "100 Sergeants Major of Color".

Three veterans of Company A 1/22 Infantry get together in July 2010
Left to right: Don "Gert" Gertenrich, Al Rucker, Lenny Cecere

Burial:

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central
Radcliff, Hardin County, Kentucky
Section 8, Site 100

Grave marker for Alfred E. Rucker

Photo by Margot McBath Dudewicz from the Find A Grave website

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