Honoring and commending Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Scott E. Rutter upon his return home from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and upon his retirement after 20 years of distinguished service to his country in the United States Army.

WHEREAS, LTC Scott Rutter was born in Philadelphia and attended George Washington High School in Northeast Philadelphia. He is a 1983 Distinguished Military Graduate of Campbell University, and after receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army; and

WHEREAS, LTC Scott Rutter’s first active duty assignment was with the 101st Airborne (AASLT) Division where he served with the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry. In April, 1990, LTC Rutter took command of C Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry. He fought with and commanded his Rifle Company during Operation Desert Storm, for which he was decorated with a Bronze Star Medal for Valor, and Operation Desert Shield; and

WHEREAS, LTC Scott Rutter continued his distinguished service in the United States Army, and was recently given the privilege to command the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, which is a component of the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID). The 3rd Infantry Division was one of only two complete Army Divisions in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and his unit served as part of the main effort in the operation; and

WHEREAS, LTC Scott Rutter lead his battalion in the offensive operation in Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein’s Regime from power and as a threat to the national security of the United States. With unprecedented speed, his unit encountered numerous enemy forces for a continuous 21-day period, and was the primary force responsible for the capture and renaming of ‘Baghdad International Airport,’ which, among various other key battles and missions in which this battalion was engaged, paved the way for the ultimate fall of the regime; and

WHEREAS, For his brave service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, LTC Scott Rutter was awarded the Silver Star, which is a medal that is given to an individual that displays gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force. LTC Rutter’s valiant and distinguished service in the United States Army, and particularly in Operation Iraqi Freedom, has provided the blessings of freedom and security to the Iraqi people, and has removed a dangerous threat to the safety and national security of the United States; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor and commend Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Scott E. Rutter upon his return home from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and upon his retirement after 20 years of distinguished service to his country in the United States Army.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Lieutenant Colonel Scott E. Rutter as evidence of the sincere sentiments and gratitude of this legislative body.

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