05/20/2026
🇺🇲
Proclamation
Honoring First Lieutenant Thomas Ruth. PROCLAMATION
HONORING FIRST LIEUTENANT THOMAS RUTH
WHEREAS, First Lieutenant Thomas Ruth, a native son of Jackson, Minnesota, faithfully and courageously served the United States of America during World War Il as a naval aviator in the Pacific Theater; and
WHEREAS, on June 30, 1943, Lt. Ruth departed on an aerial combat mission providing air support for Allied naval ships and assault forces near Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands; and
WHEREAS, during intense enemy engagement that day, Lt. Ruth bravely participated in aerial combat against Japanese aircraft and was credited with the shoot-down of an enemy aircraft before ultimately being lost in action; and
WHEREAS, after failing to return to base, Lt. Ruth was officially declared missing in action and later presumed dead, while his family, community, and nation endured decades without answers regarding his final resting place; and
WHEREAS, despite extensive search efforts conducted following the war, Lt. Ruth's remains were deemed non-recoverable; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, investigators located a World War Il Wildcat crash site in the Solomon Islands, and subsequent forensic analysis and family reference comparisons conducted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency positively identified the remains of Lt. Thomas Ruth on April 8, 2025; and
WHEREAS, after more than 80 years, Lt. Ruth is finally returning home to Jackson, Minnesota, where he will be laid to rest with full military honors at Riverside Cemetery on May 27, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the return of Lt. Ruth stands as a solemn reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and patriotism demonstrated by the men and women of the United States Armed Forces;
NOW, THEREFORE, l, Marcus Polz, Mayor of the City of Jackson, Minnesota, on behalf of the Jackson City Council and the citizens of our community, do hereby proclaim May 27, 2026, as:
"FIRST LIEUTENANT THOMAS RUTH DAY"
and respectfully call upon local businesses, organizations, and community members to voluntarily pause or close operations from 1 1 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, to allow employees, families, and residents the opportunity to attend funeral services and pay their respects to a hometown hero finally returning home after more than 80 years.
May our community stand united in gratitude, remembrance, and reverence as we honor the life, sacrifice, and legacy of First Lieutenant Thomas Ruth and all those who have faithfully served our nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Jackson to be affixed this 27th day of May, 2026.
Marcus Polz
Mayor, City of Jackson, Minnesota
See full article: https://app.govoutreach.com/jacksoncitymn/public/communications/66240
