Career
Rutherford enlisted in the United States Marine Corps July 14, 1941. After undergoing basic training at San Diego, California, he reported to carrier Lexington November 8, 1941. Private Rutherford was on board during the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea, in which the Navy turned back the Japanese thrust toward Portuguese Moresby and Australia.
In this first great carrier action, during which neither force sighted the other, American planes sank one Japanese carrier and damaged another.
But, near the end of the battle, May 8, Lexington was hit by two bombs and two torpedoes. Rutherford, “loading shells into fuse pots” in a gun mount, was seriously injured in the attack.
But he remained at his post. In the language of his citation, "although mortally wounded by the fragments of a bursting bomb, he displayed outstanding courage and a loyal determination to keep his gun in action despite his injured condition, and valiantly remained at his station “loading shells into fuse pots” until he collapsed on the deck."
United States Ship Jesse Rutherford (Delaware-347) was named in his honor.
She was laid down by Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas, November 22, 1943.
Launched January 29, 1944. Sponsored by Mistress Mary Rutherford, mother of Private Rutherford. And commissioned May 31, 1944, Lieutenant
Commander
B. M. Henry in command.