Ruddick, Morris Elmo, Jr.

Cathy Moran Hajo

1943-12-10

Second Lieutenant

1965-07-27

Silver Star

Morris Ruddick, Jr. enlisted in the Marines in 1965, training in Quantico, VA and leaving for Vietnam in July 1966. He served seven months in Vietnam. He was sent behind enemy lines to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter and engaged with the enemy four times. Though the helicopter crew had perished, he brought his team back without losses, earning a Silver Star. He served in a front line rifle company and in force reconnaissance where he infiltrated enemy lines to bring back intelligence. On his return to the United States he was stationed in Camp Lejune.

Morris Elmo Ruddick, Jr. was born in December 1943 in __. He graduated from Mahwah High School in 1961 and from Northwestern University in 1965 with a degree in group communication and public address.

Morris Elmo Ruddick, Jr. was the son of Morris and Marguerite Ruddick. He married Diane Carver Hammond in 1968.

Lt. Ruddick is Home to Receive Silver Star, Ridgewood Herald-News, August 21, 1967, p. 1.

Diane Hammond Becomes Engaged to Capt. Ruddick, Ridgewood Sunday News, April 21, 1968, p. 78.