Aviation Pioneer Dick Rutan Laid to Rest at Arlington

Voyager pilot and decorated Air Force veteran received full military honors in Washington, D.C.

Ryan Ewing

Thursday, October 02, 2025 at 02:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A stamp printed in Djibouti issued for the first flight around the world without stopping or refueling by Rutan Model 76 Voyager shows Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, circa 1987. {Shutterstock/ Lefteris Papaulakis]

Key Takeaways:

Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Richard “Dick” Rutan, celebrated for copiloting the first nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world in 1986, was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Rutan, who died in May 2024 at age 85, was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, having flown 325 combat missions and earned numerous distinctions including the Silver Star and five Distinguished Flying Crosses.

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Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Richard “Dick” Rutan was laid to rest Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. According to Arlington’s daily funeral schedule, the service in Washington, D.C., was held in the early afternoon and included the traditional rites for a U.S. military officer.

Rutan, who died in May 2024 at age 85, is best known for copiloting the Voyager aircraft in 1986 on the first nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world. Alongside Jeana Yeager, he completed the nine-day mission that secured a place in aviation history and highlighted the experimental aircraft designed by his brother, Burt Rutan.