Wissenswertes

Served 45 years in the US Navy; was honorably discharged on August 1, 1990.

Veteran of WWII and Vietnam.

Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal.

Earned the Bronze Star Medal for heroic action during more than 45 combat operations in Vietnam.

Is a volunteer for the Virginia Beach Police Department.

Dropped out of high school at age 16 to join the Merchant Marines in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy a year later.

He and his wife are Red Cross volunteers.

He auditioned for Survivor II, saying that he wanted to keep trying until he won the million dollars.

Rudy pronounces his last name as "Besh", but most people have pronounced it as "Bosh" since Survivor aired. He now pronounces it as "Bosh" in public as a result.

Retired Navy SEAL, doing volunteer work, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA (2000)

Has three children, Ellen Marie, Patricia Ann, and Barbara Jean.

Brought a toothbrush as his luxury item on "Survivor."