Gov. Hobbs orders flags lowered to half-staff Monday to honor military veteran

Gov. Katie Hobbs has ordered all flags at state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday in honor of retired Maj. Gen. David Rataczak.

Rataczak passed away earlier this month at 81, and his funeral is scheduled for Monday.

“I’m sending my deep condolences to Major General Rataczak’s family and extending my gratitude for his decades of service,” Hobbs said in a news release. “I know Arizonans join me in honoring his leadership and his legacy.”

The military veteran enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965. Rataczak completed his aviation training and was assigned to the 334th Armed Helicopter Company, First Aviation Brigade, in Vietnam, where he flew more than 1,000 combat hours, the release said.

He was appointed as an officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard (ANG) after his active duty service before joining the Arizona ANG in 1982.

Rataczak then served in four different roles in the Arizona ANG:

• Commander, 385th Aviation Group
• Chief of Staff, Arizona ANG
• Assistant Adjutant General, Army
• Adjutant General

The military veteran served as the Adjutant General for nearly 10 years (June 1999 to December 2008). Rataczak also earned several awards during his service time:

• Legion of Merit
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
• Air Medal with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
• Vietnam Campaign Medal

Hobbs encouraged other individuals, businesses and organizations to join in the tribute to Rataczak.

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