THE WALL OF FACES

Dear FN Erik Rudziak, Thank you for your service as an Engineman Fireman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Halloween is next weekend. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Cua Viet is the name most often used to describe the Naval Support Activity Detachment immediately adjacent on the western border of the U.S. Marine Amtrac base called Camp Kistler, located at the mouth of the Cua Viet River, bordering the Gulf of Tonkin. It is 3 1/2 miles south of the southern boundary of the DMZ. The mission of the Amtracs and patrol boats is to deny enemy access to the Cua Viet River and protect the flow of supplies to Dong Ha. The Dong Ha River Security Group patrols had five areas which were code named One Lima through Five Lima. On January 16, 1969, a mine in the Two Lima patrol area sank patrol boat YFU-62. Its back was broken by the explosion and resulted in the deaths of eight crewmen. The lost crewmen in the blast included EN2 Francis D. Campbell, EM2 Wendell A. Morrison, SM2 David L. Holdredge, CS2 Kenneth M. Russell, RMSN Milton J. Worrell, NFN Erik N. Rudziak, FN Alfred Bauer, and FN Edward E. Stockwell Jr. FN Bauer had been scheduled to rotate back to the U.S. three days after his death. [Taken from lcplriversecurity.com]

Graduated same year from Carlisle High School 1967. Was in same boot camp company at GLakes, Il. Departed boot camp December 1967 and went separate routes after boot camp.
RIP Erik

Rusty, RIP my friend. You are missed.
Rusty was my engine man on my Mike boat before transferring to LCU's

Dear FN Erik Niles Rudziak, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter