Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
🇺🇸 WALKING WITH FALLEN HEROES 🇺🇸
Navy Lieutenant Joseph John Rhodes — Age 28
Youngstown, Ohio
KIA — October 23, 1967
Today, we walked 5.72 miles to honor and remember Navy Lieutenant Joseph John Rhodes, a 28-year-old American hero who gave his life serving our country during the Vietnam War.
Lieutenant Rhodes was a United States Navy officer serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 121, part of the Navy’s Seabees. The Seabees are the Navy’s construction force, responsible for building and maintaining essential facilities in support of military operations.
On October 23, 1967, Lieutenant Rhodes was riding in a jeep near Phu Bai, Vietnam, when the vehicle struck a landmine. The explosion fatally wounded him and killed two fellow Seabees, Chief Steelworker Gordon J. Dibble and Builder Third Class Jon R. Morvay.
At just 28 years old, Lieutenant Rhodes became the first Civil Engineer Corps officer killed in action in Vietnam. His loss was deeply felt by his fellow Seabees and the Navy community.
Lieutenant Rhodes was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, along with other military decorations recognizing his service. He was laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio, and his name is engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Panel 28E, Line 57.
His legacy continued even after his death. In 1968, a Seabee camp in Quang Tri, Vietnam, was dedicated in his memory and named Camp Rhodes, ensuring that his name would live on among those who continued serving.
Today, on the anniversary of his ultimate sacrifice, we walked in his honor. We made our way to Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Crossville, Tennessee, and back, completing 5.72 miles and receiving 151 honks along the way.
I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted as we passed. Every gesture of support means so much and helps us continue our mission of honoring our Fallen Heroes and keeping their memories alive. It was truly amazing to see the support shown for this American hero.
I also want to give a special thank-you to Fallen Hero SRA Zachary Rayl for joining us and helping honor Lieutenant Rhodes today. Having others stand beside us in this mission makes these walks even more meaningful.
Lieutenant Joseph John Rhodes was only 28 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice. He had a life ahead of him, but he answered the call to serve his country and never came home.
Today, we walked so his name would be remembered. We walked so his sacrifice would never be forgotten. And we walked to remind everyone that behind every name is a life, a family, and a story that deserves to be told.
🇺🇸 Navy Lieutenant Joseph John Rhodes, thank you for your service and sacrifice. You will always be remembered, and you will NEVER be forgotten! 🇺🇸
#iWalk4Them #WalkingWithFallenHeroes #HonorOurFallen #NeverForgotten #VietnamVeterans #USNavy #Seabees
