In hopes that this reaches family, friends and those that served with Lt Rodriguez. I know he was a well respected leader of his platoon and a fine soldier who died in an assault on an enemy force in Northern Vietnam. We lost two others in that assault and all are missed. To me, the picture reflects the seriousness of our circumstances, even at the earliest part of our involvement. We were young, we were tired, and we were responsible. Now we will miss those that didn't come home. – SGT Jonathan D. Quick, A Co. 1/501

Frank Rodriguez was nicknamed "Dirty Frank" because he was the cleanest trooper we ever knew. He didn't drink, didn't cuss, and he was one of the most beloved platoon leaders in C/1/501. When he was killed I cried. – George Barton, XO, A Co, 1/501

Frank and I were ROTC cadets at the University of Hawaii; he was the All-American boy who was respected by all who knew him. He was an unselfish leader who was dedicated to the principles of Duty, Honor, Country. Frank was one of the best and brightest. I still mourn his loss after all these years. – George Sheridan, ROTC Classmate

Frank and I were in the same homeroom at Radford High School in Honolulu Hawaii. During the Christmas Holiday in 1962 six of us, including Frank, walked around the island of Oahu. We slept on the beach, and the young women from the class would drive up to where we were, park their cars on the beach, and tune the radios to the same station so that we could dance, and later go for a swim. We all loved Frank, and he had so much to live for. – George Blank, High School Classmate

If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.