Rudy A. Salcido, 31

Army National Guard, Sergeant 1st Class

Based: Bakersfield

1114th Transportation Company

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: November 9, 2006

Baghdad, Iraq

Married, 1 child

Gender: Male

Hometown: La Puente

Burial: Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside

He married his longtime sweetheart 3 days before he deployed. He proposed to her on the roof of his house, calling it "the closest mountain he could find." And before he left in July, he hid notes for his new bride all over her home.

Angel De Jesus Lucio Ramirez, 11/11/2006

Richwell A. Doria, 11/07/2006

23 memories of Rudy A. Salcido

“

I didn't know SFC Salcido at all but I was a member of the 1-133rd Infantry that provide security for him on November 9, 2006. I was the first gun truck to arrive at his destroyed vehicle. I was shocked that no other soldier had existed their vehicle to help out but I guess one could be confused on the situation at the time. We pulled his driver from the wreckage and called for a medic. I remember hearing a pops hitting against my truck but before I could act the pings stopped. His driver kept saying I can't find my truck commander and he later stated that he was getting dizzy and our medic took over from there. While the injured soldier was being treated the soldier I proceed to locate SFC Salcido. I can't remember alot after finding his remains just that he had a wedding ring on and I kept thinking Jesus he has a wife back home and most likely children. I began to feel guilty seeing how my truck was directly behind the IED blast. We checked for a pulse and found what would be the last seconds of his life. My driver says to me after a night of drinking once that he could have saved him but I know we where to late and nothing more could have been done. We did look for a triggerman and raided a house nearby but whoever had set of the IED was gone. So I guess with saying all that the name SFC Salcido has been branded in my memory. My god bless his family and my deepest sympathy.

SGT Durkin James
C CO 1-133rd Infantry

” — durkin , December 16, 2009 at 2:23 p.m.

“

Rudy was my step son and he is very deeply missed. I didn't know about this site until I read about it in the paper today. I am grateful to the LA Times for having this site and to all who post memories and thank yous . Rudy was a hero to his sisters and brothers and they still have a hard time dealing with his loss. I miss him dearly and can still hear his laughter and his voice. To all who have lost a loved one to this conflict that we face I feel your pain and pray for your families. It is especially hard around the holidays because it was such a joyous time for our family and Rudy was the biggest kid and one of the best present givers. We do our best but the loss is always there.

Thank you to SGT Durkin and his driver for helping in any way that they could we are sure that you did the best that you could and we know that the Army was where Rudy wanted to be.

God Bless All Who Serve

Kathy Salcido

” — Kathy Salcido, December 20, 2009 at 3:54 p.m.

“

I knew SFC Rudy Salcido pretty well. We met in 2001 when he arrived to my unit in Germany. We were privates at that time and we would compete to see who would make E-5 first. (He won). Rudy stood out to me the first day I laid eyes on him. We shared a lot of good times together. We deployed at the same time. He was the model soldier. True and genuine at heart, a natural born leader and very well liked. Dedicated, motivated, professional and well balanced. His energy easily rubbed off on others. I get angry sometimes when I think of what happened to him. Hero is such an understatement to me when describing this man. Rudy, I can never say the words I miss you out loud without shedding a tear. Your memory lives.

” — Angela Mernatti, June 21, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.

“

Tomorrow marks the 6th year anniversary of the death of SFC Rudy Salcido. I meet Salcido in Feb. of 2000 in Fort Jackson SC. We were in basic training together. It was obvious from the jump he was natural leader. He went out of his way to help others in need to include me. He shared many stories about his love Jennifer, and his one and only daughter Gabby. I remember asking him if he wanted to go to church with me and the 1st few times he said no. Then he began to realize it could be a way to get some time to himself. Next thing you know Salcido volunteered to be an usher. We stayed in contact for a while as we went our separate ways on to AIT. I was stunned to her the news of his death a few years ago. I got a hold of his Mom whom which I met at a family fun day; and I told her how sorry I was. She consoled me. She told me he wouldn't have had it any other way. In my heart I knew this was true. Salcido is a true American hero. I will celebrate his life tomorrow and I will honor him on Sun. (Veterans Day). Everyday I wake up and thank God for people like Salcido who have willingly laid their life on the line so my family and I can remain free. My you RIP SFC Salcido and may God wrap his arm around your family and comfort them when that are missing you most. Your battle in training Rangel.

” — Alicia Fuss, November 8, 2012 at 3:29 a.m.

“

We have a Run For the Fallen here at Fort Lee on Saturday May 3, 2014. I was registering for it and it asked what person would we like to run in memory of and the first person I thought of was you. I was stationed with Rudy in Vilseck Germany back in 2001. I remember that he was such an awesome person and could always make me laugh. He was a natural born leader and one could recognize it as soon as they saw him. I've never met anyone like him and I know he is dearly missed by family and friends. Rudy, It would be an honor to run in remembrance of you. I suck at running but remembering that I'm running in your honor will motivate me to keep going. God comfort and bless your family and I know that you are still watching over them from Heaven. You are truly missed and remembered. Signed your battle, Nutall.

” — Nicole Nutall, April 24, 2014 at 8:47 a.m.

“

I am Rudy's step father. I married his mother in 1992 and with that said, HE became MY son! Not stepson. When he wanted to enlist, I did not detour him from his childhood dream. I gave him my blessings and backed him 120%!
At his funeral, I shared my best memory of him. One Christmas, we gave him a BB gun, That following summer, a nice breeze was blowing and my wife and I decided to open the windows. We noticed through a back window, wounded crows were filling the back yard. I went upstairs and found Rudy shooting them from a bedroom window! I took the gun away from him and told him to "move over, it was my turn!" We both felt a chill in the room. We turned around and there was his mom! BUSTED!

” — Tony Luevano, September 14, 2015 at 1:39 a.m.

“

It's been 11 years and 2 days since we lost him and I still can't handle it. He was a blessing in disguise for my family. He served under my father Mark Miller. He spent 2-3 Thanksgivings with my family. He always had clean white shoes and white pants. When my father deployed he was there for me, my brother Rayce, and my mom. I remember when he fixed the inner tube on my brother tricycle. I remember him watching the whole movie "Spirit" with my brother on a Thanksgiving. I remember steak on the stone with him. I remember his red car with bagger #13 that hung from his windshield. I just remember him. When my dad was deployed and called that early morning to give us the news it was one of the most heat breaking days for my family. He was an amazing man and will never be forgotten. Bless you Rudy. We miss you!!!

” — Cassandra Mliler, November 11, 2017 at 6:33 p.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Rudy A. Salcido, 31

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23 memories of Rudy A. Salcido