Steven R. Rudder

Steven R. Rudder
File:Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder (2).jpg
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1984–2022
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific 1st Marine Air Wing Marine Aircraft Group 26
Battles / wars	Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross

Steven R. Rudder is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general and Naval Aviator. Rudder has served as Deputy Commandant for Aviation, USMC and Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

Marine Corps career

Rudder was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant in 1984. He graduated from The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and his first assignment was to 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion. He received a transfer to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1987. His operational assignments include AH-1 Cobra helicopter training with HMT-303 followed by service with HMLA-367 as Maintenance Officer and Tactics Instructor. Rudder's staff and command assignments include HMM-161; Weapons and Tactics Officer deploying with the 11th MEU(SOC); AH-1 Division Head, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One; Operations Officer, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167; Future Operations Officer HMM-261 deploying with the 22nd MEU; Military Assistant to Andrew Marshall, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon; Squadron Commander, HML/A-167; Senior Watch Officer, 3rd Marine Air Wing; J5 Lead planner for Afghanistan and Pakistan, USCENTCOM, Tampa, Florida; Commanding Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 26 deploying to Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Branch Head of Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation; student, United States Army War College; Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, Office of Legislative Affairs, HQMC; Commanding General, 1st Marine Air Wing in Okinawa, Japan; Director of Strategic Planning and Policy, United States Pacific Command; Deputy Commandant for Aviation from July 2017 to July 2020; and Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Rudder retired from active duty in September 2022.

Awards and decorations

U.S. military decorations Bronze oak leaf cluster File:US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Gold star File:Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Legion of Merit with one gold award star V File:Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" Device Bronze oak leaf cluster File:Defense Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Gold star File:Meritorious Service ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal with gold award star File:Air Medal ribbon.svgFile:Award numeral 4.png Air Medal with bronze Strike/flight numeral 4 V Gold star File:Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" Device and award star File:Us jointservachiev rib.svg Joint Service Achievement Medal File:Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon.svg Navy Achievement Medal U.S. Unit Awards File:United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg Navy Presidential Unit Citation Bronze oak leaf cluster File:Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster File:Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Navy Unit Commendation Bronze star Bronze star File:Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two service stars U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons Bronze star File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal with service star File:Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Bronze star Bronze star Bronze star File:Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991–2016).svg Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze campaign stars Bronze star File:Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star Bronze star File:Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star File:Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal File:Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal File:Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Service Medal Bronze star Bronze star Bronze star Bronze star File:Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four service stars File:Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) File:Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

U.S. badges, patches and tabs File:Naval Aviator Badge.jpg Naval Aviator Insignia File:USMC Rifle Expert badge.png Rifle Expert Badge File:USMC Pistol Expert badge.png Pistol Expert Badge