Jacob Herman Rudolph was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on March 25, 1886. He attended St. John’s Military Academy and was appointed a second lieutenant of Infantry on September 25, 1908.
SERVICE
He was assigned to the 29th Infantry and first served in the Philippine Islands, returning to the United States in August 1909, when he proceeded to Fort Jay, New York. In October 1913 he transferred with his regiment to Fort Niagara, New York, where he remained on duty until March 1915. He then went to the Panama Canal Zone and remained there with the 29th Infantry until October 1917. He was assigned to duty with the Aviation Section, Signal Corps, at Kelly Field, Texas, from October 1917 to February 1918; at Fort Worth, Texas, until June 1918; and at Carlstrom Field, Arcadia, Florida, until January 1919. After a short tour at Chapman Field, Florida, he served at Selfridge Field, Michigan; Washington, D.C.; Caldwell, New Jersey; and Houston, Texas.
From January to November 1920, he had charge of the Aviation Repair Depot at the Indianapolis, Indiana, Speedway. He transferred to the Air Service on July 1, 1920. He then attended the Air Service Pilots’ School at March Field, California, graduating early in 1921. He also completed the course at the Air Service Observers’ School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in that year. He then became Chief Engineering Officer at Fairfield Air Intermediate Depot, Fairfield, Ohio, serving until December 1924, when he transferred to McCook Field, Illinois. In 1928 he was ordered to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio.
He entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Langley Field, Virginia, in August 1928, and upon graduation in June 1929, went to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to enroll in the two-year course of the Command and General Staff School. He was graduated in June 1931. He next served in the Office, Chief of the Air Corps, Washington, D.C. From April to July 1933, he served at March Field, California, then returned to Washington, D.C., and served as Chief of the Plans Division. From August 1934 to June 1935, he attended the Army War College, Washington, D.C. Upon graduation he became Director, Air Corps Board, serving at Maxwell Field, Alabama. In July 1938 he was transferred to Lowry Field, Colorado, as Commanding Officer and Assistant Commander of the Air Technical School. In October 1940 he was ordered to duty with the Hawaiian Department where he served successively as Commanding General of Hickam Field, Hawaii, and the 18th Bombardment Wing, same station.
He returned to the United States and was assigned to Headquarters, Western Defense Command, Presidio of San Francisco, California, in February 1942. In April 1942 he became Commanding General of the IV Air Support Command, Presidio of San Francisco, California.
He was assigned as Commanding General of the Spokane Air Depot Control Area, Air Service Command, Spokane, Washington, in January 1943.
He was retired from active service on July 31, 1944, in the rank of brigadier general.
He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, Technical Observer, and Aircraft Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant of Infantry, September 25, 1908; First Lieutenant, July 1, 1916; Captain, May 15, 1917; Major, Signal Corps (temporary), August 5, 1917; honorably discharged, April 15, 1920; transferred to Air Service, July 1, 1920; Major, July 1, 1920; Lieutenant Colonel, August 1, 1933; Colonel (temporary), June 16, 1936, to February 1, 1938; Colonel, February 1, 1938; Brigadier General, A.U.S., October 1, 1940; retired, disability in line of duty, with rank of Brigadier General, July 31, 1944.
DECORATIONS
World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal.