July-Dec 1951

On 2 July the Chinese and North Koreans finally agreed to cease-fire negotiations. The parties agreed on the choice of Kaesong, a village north of the front line in the eastern sector, as the site for the talks, and the meetings formally began in early July. The negotiations marked the end to major offensives conducted by both sides. However, both the talks and the fighting would continue for two long years, with the war characterized by small-scale infantry battles to gain control of hilltops and other tactically critical pieces of terrain. Despite peace talks, the war was not yet over.

On 15 July 1951, the "Cacti" returned to Line Wyoming, southwest of Chorwon at the corner of the ‘Iron Triangle." Emphasis was placed on construction and improvement of defensive positions while extensive reconnaissance operations were conducted to the front of the line. The friendly patrols employed the method of moving in close and placing artillery and mortar fire on the enemy then pulling back.

One such patrol from Love Company left the Main Line of Resistance (MLR) and was ambushed. Five men returned to the line that night. The following morning fourteen more men found their way back to the safety of the MLR and their unit. A patrol from Item Company the next day found two more men who had been ambushed the night before. Seven days later, Love Outpost observed a wounded man out in front of their position, and on investigating, found it to be one of their buddies from the ambushed patrol eight days previous. The Regiment was relieved in their sector on the line by the Eighth Cavalry on 31 July 1951.

August 1951

At the beginning of August, the "Cacti" Regiment was located south and east of the town of Pyongyang, often referred to in the press as the northern apex of the Red "Iron Triangle" Kumhwa—Chorwon—Pyongyang. Also in early August, the Regiment completed the occupation of its assembly areas south and west of Kumhwa, conducted training in basic military subjects and reconnoitered blocking and defensive positions in the zone.

Planning for "Operation HUNT" was also initiated and largely completed during the month. It was to be part of a deep combat and reconnaissance patrol directed by I Corps. The Division objective, Area Hunt, was Hill 472, north of the Kumhwa-Pyonggang road. Task Force WOODYARD, the 35th Infantry Cacti, less one battalion, but plus attachments, was to seize objectives Hunt and Fox Hill 419.

September 1951

At the beginning of September 1951, the 35th Infantry Regiment had been in action in Korea for 416 days and had suffered numerous battle casualties. The "Cacti" continuously conducted aggressive combat and reconnaissance patrols.

One morning, Company "I" was positioned on Hill 682 and Company "L" on Hill 717. At about four o’clock in the morning, the two companies were subjected to an intense barrage of enemy mortar and artillery, and immediately following that, came a large number of enemy infantrymen making an assault on the hilltop position.

Private Billie G. Kanell of Company I received the MOH posthumously when on 7 September 1951 a large Chinese force attacked his position. Delivering accurate fire Private Kanell caused significant casualties in the attacking force. Love and Item Companies fought back with all they had. For hours the battle waged with the fanatic Communists coming out of the black night in screaming waves. Against hopeless odds, the men of Item and Love Companies continued to hold their positions until ammunition ran dangerously low. Then they were ordered back. They fought their way through miles of Communist held territory, back to friendly lines. It was in this action that Private Billie G. Kanell was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for giving his life so others might live. His citation read as follows:

"Private Billie G. Kanell, RA17317531, Infantry, United States Army, a member of Company I, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy near Pyonggang, Korea, on 7 September 1951.

A numerically superior hostile force had launched a fanatical assault against friendly positions supported by mortar and artillery fire, when Private Kanell stood in his emplacement exposed to enemy operation and action and delivered accurate fire into the ranks of the assailants. An enemy grenade was hurled into his emplacement and Private Kanell threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the blast with his body to protect two of his comrades from serious injury and possible death. A few seconds later, another grenade was thrown into the emplacement and, although seriously wounded by the first missile, he summoned his waning strength to roll toward the second grenade and use his body as a shield to again protect his comrades. He was mortally wounded as a result of his heroic actions."

In mid-July the Tropic Lightning returned to the front line in its previous positions in the Ch'orwon-Kumhwa area.

October 1951

The 35th Infantry Regiment occupied a sector on the 25th Infantry Division right flank on Line Wyoming, with all units of the Regiment on line. During this time, the action consisted of patrols, raids and task infantry operations. On 4 October, a platoon from Company "K," supported by a platoon of tanks from Company "C," 89th Tank Battalion, and a platoon from Battery "C," 21st AAA Battalion, advanced more than 800 yards forward of the MLR to seize high ground in the vicinity of Kumgong-ni, Korea. A brief fire fight took place, and fifteen minutes later, twenty enemy lay dead where the team had engaged them. Three enemy soldiers saw their last action of the war when they were taken prisoner on the same mission.

Then, on 22 October, elements of the 27th Wolfhound Regiment were brought into the line enabling the "Cacti" to pull out one battalion, for a much-needed rest. The remainder of the Regiment was relieved of its responsibilities of the line on 29 October and moved to an assembly area in the center of the Division sector, where a training program was started and a much needed rest enjoyed.

November 1951

The rest period continued until 7 November, when the 35th Infantry Regiment was again on line for its fourth month in a stable defensive position.

Along with patrolling and the running of task forces, training was carried on to sustain combat proficiency and an aggressive spirit in face of the rapid personnel turnover and the threat of defensive-mindedness. The reserve units of the "Cacti" were held ready to mop up the encircled enemy in the area.

Progress of the cease-fire talks at Panmunjom, indicated the imminent delineation of a buffer zone based on the line of contact between friendly and enemy forces. On Eighth Army and Corps orders, the Division Commander initiated an intensified patrol program.

December 1951

Aggressive patrolling and task force operations continued, and again inflicted many casualties on the enemy. On 14 December 1951, the 35th Infantry Regiment was directed to move one company to IX Corps Headquarters to relieve elements of the 2nd United States Infantry Division, providing security for IX Corps Command Post. The remainder of the "Cacti" went into reserve with the 25th Infantry Division. Training was carried on, stressing offensive action and heightening the level of combat proficiency of the "Cacti."

Lt. Colonel S. B. Baker Jr. took over as commander of the Regiment from Colonel Thomas W. Woodyard on 28 December 1951. During the year, the 35th Infantry Regiment had participated in both offensive and defensive type actions, inflicting many casualties and heavy damage on the enemy. The hopes of the men were high and the future at Panmunjom looked bright, even though the war was not at an end.