Posted by John W. Powell on March 7, 2011:

I did not know Rudi, but his brother Bert was my classmate. Just as good. Band of Brothers. From what I am given, both Rudi and Bert brought honor to their family name, and our country. Duty, Honor, Country. That matters. I didn't realize the humble beginnings of this family. Nor the connections with the 442nd RCT. My father was a tail-gunner on a B-29 in the 58th Bomb Wing in World War II. All they did was bomb Japan, night and day. My mother's first husband was killed at Anzio and her brother lost his right leg at Normandy. I served in Korea at the same time w/ Bert. In fact, during the Panmunjon incident, I spent a couple of freezing nights in a foxhole at Radar Site #4. No one knows about that, though. So, we are a generation past the "Great Generation." In my mind's eye, I can see Bert gliding across hurdles on the track field down by the Hudson. I am sure his younger brother, Rudi, did just as well. For those who remember, Rudi, and especially our times at West Point. we are a Band of Brothers.

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