Rush W. Ledbetter

Rush William Ledbetter was born on March 4, 1917 in Rolla, AR to the late William and Rosie (Eason) Ledbetter. Rush was united in marriage to Evelyn Ahlbom on May 1st, 1942 in Junction City, KS. Rush spent 8 years in the U. S. army. He was a Staff Sergeant with the 188th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division during the battles for Leyte and Luzon in the Philippines. On 30 August 1945 he was one of the 1,096 men to land with General MacArthur at Atsuki Airdrome near Tokyo. The 188th was the initial occupation force on the Japanese mainland. Decorations included Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with Battle Stars, American Defense Medal, and American Theater Medal. After his honorable discharge in 1945 he enlisted in the MN National Guard, retiring in 1976 as a First Sergeant. Rush worked for 27 years in the signal shop at Camp Ripley. He was a former Commander of VFW Post 1112 and was a lifetime member of both the VFW and American Legion. Rush was an avid hunter and fisherman and was able to partake in those activities for many years as a retiree. He was well known in the neighborhood for his beautiful gardens and his green thumb. He also took great pride and enjoyment in his large family and many friends. Rush was always ready and willing to help anyone without a thought or expectation of anything in return. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him. Rush is survived by Evelyn, his loving wife of 67 years, nine children, David (Josie), Richard (Michelle), John (Susan), George (Char), Marlene Cowdery (Brian), Charlie (Dianne), Tom (Linda), Judy Stanley (Robert), and Dan, Daughter in Law Pam Ledbetter, 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers Leonard (Joan), Jimmy (Betty), sisters Opal Davis and Thelma Jacobson, half brother Milton, and half sisters Margie, Hazel, Ruth, Shirley, and Mary. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Ledbetter and Rosie Lee Eason, his stepmother Katie, sisters Floya and Mabel, half sister Faye, his son, Bob Ledbetter, and his granddaughter Tiffany Cowdery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

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Rush W. Ledbetter

March 4, 1917 - February 9, 2010