"You realize he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow man, that's heart rendering,” said former classmate, Pat Enslin. “It shows what kind of person he really was."

Enslin, grew up with Pruden in east St. Paul, where the two played on hockey teams.

"Bobby played a good game, after we took a test, I saw on his paper, he got six points for good goaltending, it helped him pass," Enslin recalled.

Before Monday’s service, a few members of the Class of 1967 met with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS to share stories about Pruden.

"Went our own ways and waited for draft notices," said Don Winger, who learned of his friend’s death shortly after he himself arrived in Vietnam.

Gravestone of Robert Pruden, who friends remembered Monday in St. Paul. Gravestone of Robert Pruden, who friends remembered Monday in St. Paul. Classmates of Robert Pruden at the Minnesota Vietnam Memorial in St. Paul on Monday. Classmates of Robert Pruden at the Minnesota Vietnam Memorial in St. Paul on Monday. The cemetery at Fort Snelling Monday. Hundreds stood in the rain to honor fallen soldiers at Fort Snelling National Cemetery Monday. The cemetery at Fort Snelling Monday. Paying tribute to veterans at Fort Snelling Monday. Hundreds stood in the rain to honor fallen soldiers at Fort Snelling National Cemetery Monday. A rainy Memorial Day at Fort Snelling. The cemetery at Fort Snelling Monday. The cemetery at Fort Snelling Monday. Morning breaks on Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Monday. Vice President Mike Pence, center, pauses after placing a wreath in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in observance of Memorial Day, Monday. An American flag is reflected in Teresa Alaimo's sunglasses as she pauses for a rendition of 'Taps' during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. A member of the U.S. Navy parachute team, The Leap Frogs, comes in for a landing with an American flag at the Hyundai Air & Sea Show in Florida Sunday as part of Memorial Day weekend observances. Solomon Martinez, center, gathers with his family to pay their respects at his son Rodrigo's gravesite on Memorial Day at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. American flags are shown at gravestones on Memorial Day at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Previous Next

Winger said Pruden was a friend who you wanted by your side.

"He was always the tough guy, always willing to take a stand, and to be there," Winger said.

Pruden was posthumously awarded the military's highest award, the Medal of Honor.

Staff Sgt. Pruden left his concealed position and, firing as he ran, drew hostile fire to protect his unit as part of Company G, 75th Infantry, Americal Division, in Quang Ngai Province.

He was struck twice, gravely wounded; but still helped protect his men and called for evacuation helicopters to save their lives.

Only 3,400 service members have ever been awarded the Medal of Honor for their valor.

Along with other prestigious service-related medals, Pruden is one of the highest decorated Minnesotans to ever serve the country.

"We've had the benefit of 52 years, having kids, having grandkids, enjoying life. Bob didn't get that,” said classmate, Chuck Bracken.

“But, what he did do, was sacrificing his life, he gave others that opportunity to have their life, and that's very meaningful."

Every year red roses appear on Pruden’s grave at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Friends said they've never been able to figure out who is leaving them behind.

“I’ve been out to Ft. Snelling hundreds of times, visited with Bobby's grave out there and I don’t know who leaves those roses,” said long-time friend Bob Wiltse. “But it was somebody who was pretty close to him, it has to be.”

Around 68,000 Minnesotans served during Vietnam, and more than 1,100 who were killed or missing-in-action were also honored Monday at the Minnesota Vietnam Memorial.

The event in St. Paul also took a moment to honor all servicemembers who made the ulitimate sacrifice for their country during the Vietnam War.