THE WALL OF FACES

SP4 Ronald A. Spudis was an indirect fire infantryman assigned to 1st Platoon, D Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. On December 11, 1971, SP4 Spudis was part of a five-man point team from 1st Platoon advancing ahead of company-sized combat patrol in the vicinity of Xuan Loc in Long Khanh Province, RVN. Spudis carried the radio as the team attempted to surprise and engage what they believed was a noisy squad of NVA soldiers chopping wood. What the team did not know was the enemy was a full company in a bunker complex, a unit of 1st Battalion, 33rd NVA Regiment. The enemy opened fire with an American M16 rifle. This tactic initially caused confusion and threw the point team off-balance. Spudis was hit multiple times, including in the chest and knee. He dropped to his other knee and returned fire. His actions saved lives by allowing the point team members to take cover behind an embankment. The rest of 1st Platoon moved up and began recon by fire, trying to pinpoint enemy concealed in the vast bunker complex. When a lull in the fire occurred, Spudis raised his left arm to signal his location on the ground. SGT Travis Cabbage, the point team NCOIC, raced forward, scooped up Spudis, and pulled him back. Spudis was put on a poncho and carried to a medivac LZ which had been secured by Second and Third Platoons. He was alive and talking while three aidmen struggled to save his life. Spudis still had a very weak pulse as he was hoisted up to the medivac helicopter. However, despite the best efforts of all involved, he expired enroute to the hospital. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Arthur C. Williams, Jr., Walt Roberts, and Scott Alexander (August 2017)]

I came here today to remember another 1/7 Cav soldier who died on the helo pad at FSB Spudis on 5/25/1972. I have a bunch of pictures of that fire base and I have always wondered about Ron. Thanks to the soldiers and friends who remember him, you have added so much to my memory of that place and that time. Thank you Ron Spudis for your service and your sacrifice! You would have got a good laugh and a warm beer at your firebase!

Thank you Spec 4 Spudis for your leadership and exemplary courage under fire.

We did our tours together, you were my, trusted and brave friend. I remember you volunteered us to stay overnight in a bunker complex. When the LT said no to you, I was very relieved, I never let you no that. I don't remember the date of my flight home. It was around Dec 11 1971. I was told what happen to you about a month later. I was getting out of the Army in Ft. Carson when someone handed me a Time Magazine. He said did you see the article they mention Ron. I don't know what my expression looked like. He said sorry I thought you knew. He told me the details and gave me the Time Magazine. You lived before your time. you were a real grunt, true grit. I will see you at the wall again....

Ronnie,
I went to Google Earth and found the spot where we had the Fire Fight. Now a farmers field no longer jungle. It was not worth it.
You were a fine person and soldier.
Not an anniversary goes by that I don't and think of you.