Rudolf Luff

Rudolf Luff (Rudy) immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1955 and immediately wanted to serve. He enlisted in the Armed Forces in February 1957 and served at the U.S. Army Training Center in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 3rd BN-5th RGT. He was Honorably Discharged February 23, 1960, a testimonial of Honest and Faithful Service. Rudy married Elfriede Ring, also from Germany, and moved to Detroit, Michigan where he worked at Chrysler. He continued his career as a “Tool and Die” machinist with the skills most likely learned from his time at the U.S. Army Training Center. They had two daughters, Monica and Carol. He was “Opa” to his two grandsons, Michael and Stephen. 

Deceased September 18, 2008 

U.S. Army 

Training Center 

Engineer 

Dated February 1957 

5th Training Regiment, Reserve Forces Act 

Colonel Kenneth A. McKrimmon 

Regimental Commander 

  “When President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Reserve Forces Act on August 9, 1955, he created a military program which was new. But the new program was the embodiment of a philosophy which was old, and which had many times before meant the difference between life and death for the nation. 

 The Reserve Forces Act of 1955 clearly reflected the invaluable spirit of the volunteer citizen-soldiers of the United States, the men who always have and always will come to the side of the Regular Army to defend the nation and the freedoms it holds sacred. 

 In October 1955, the Reserve Forces Training Regiment (Provisional) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, opened its doors to the first group of volunteers under the RFA. Men came from throughout the Fifth Army area for eight weeks of basic combat training. Soon, others were coming, after basic training in their own Army areas, to join the regiment for advanced individual and unit phases of the Corps of Engineers training. Many who came to the regiment for their first phase of training left to take their advanced phases in the branches of their choice at other posts. Then, they returned home – good soldiers and better citizens.” 

Pvt (E-2) Rudolf Luff 3RD BN-5th RGT February 1957 was Honorably Discharged on February 23, 1960