Rudolph Bartholomew was born and reared in Battle Creek, Michigan (MI) and following graduation from St. Philip High School, he entered the Army Air Corps in 1946. He left the newly created U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1949 and attended Bradley University where he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in 1952 and received his degree in 1953.
He joined the Michigan Air National Guard's (ANG) 172nd Fighter Squadron at Battle Creek, MI. He was awarded his wings in 1955 and continued to serve with the Michigan ANG until 1969. After attending the Air War College in 1970 he was assigned to Selfridge Air Force (AF) Base, near Mt. Clemens, MI, as the project officer for the transfer of historic Selfridge from the USAF to the Michigan ANG. He was selected to be the first ANG officer to command Selfridge ANG base with all branches of the Services as tenants.
He was Base Commander from 1971 to 1975 and was then assigned to command the 127th Tactical Fighter Wing from 1975 to 1981. At that time the General left Selfridge to assume command of Headquarters Michigan ANG until his retirement in 1984 after 37 years of military service.
Artifact: Class A Dress Blue Uniform.
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