Foil: 5 Panel: 4 Column: 2 Line: 60

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

CDR Alexander Cauthorn Rucker, USN "Rattler" ^
Born January 11, 1943, in Bedford, Virginia, Mr. Rucker attended Bedford High School and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute where he majored in Geophysics. He joined the United States Navy in 1965 and took flight training at Pensacola, Florida, Meridian, Mississippi, and Beeville, Texas. He flew F-8 Crusaders and F-14 Tomcats over a 20-year career, being stationed at NAS Miramar, California and NAS Oceana, Virginia. His service included multiple Vietnam cruises, including one in 1968-1969 with his brother LT William B. Rucker, USNR. On that cruise, he and his wingman, Tony Nargi, shot down a MIG. Mr. Rucker was a Top Gun instructor for 2 Vi years at Miramar, and was Commanding Officer of VF-14 at Oceana. After retiring from the Navy in 1986, Mr. Rucker began flying for the airlines and now is a Captain with American Airlines. He and his wife, Deane Aultice Rucker, have two daughters, and reside in Albemarle County, Virginia.