1953

January 1953, the "Cacti" were occupied improving and defending positions of Line Missouri. On 4 January, the support group of Company "I," a combat patrol approximately 75 yards behind its assault group, was fired on from the rear and flanked by an estimated platoon-size enemy force. Immediately, the assault group joined its support group and assisted them in causing the enemy to withdraw. Enemy casualties in the 15-minute firefight were unknown, while the friendly patrol suffered two wounded.

Three days later, personnel of Company "G," situated on Combat Outpost TOM, received an enemy mortar barrage while changing guards, trapping several in vulnerable positions and wounding one man. Master Sergeant Ussery M. Henry of Roanoke, Alabama, realizing the wounded man’s plight, stalked into the barrage area and carried the wounded man to a protective fighting bunker. Master Sergeant Henry was awarded the Silver Star for his outstanding gallantry in action.

30 January, the "Cacti" was relieved from its position on the Missouri Line and moved to Chik-Ton to begin training. An intensive program consumed February and March, reaching its climax in April with principles of offensive combat in addition to previous specialist schooling for communications and drivers.

On 31 January 1953, the Division assembled in the vicinity of Yongp-Yong, and assumed the mission of IX Corps reserve. It continued in this role until 5 May 1953. The state of training attained during this period is best described in the words of General Jenkins, IX Corps Commander, in his last report to the Army Commander as the Division departed his command, "Today the 25th Division is like a razor’s edge!"

April 1953

25 April 1953, Colonel Emil P. Escbenburg formally assumed command of the Regiment succeeding Colonel Autry J. Maroun, who moved to G3 at X Corps Headquarters.

May 1953

On 5 May 1953, the Division assumed the responsibility of guarding the approaches to Seoul. It occupied the Main Battle Position in the vicinity of Munsan-Ni and Chang-Dan. Operational Control again passed to I Corps.

During early May, the "Cacti" assumed responsibilities in the Munsan-ni area, overlooking the Panmunjom corridor, immediately instituting a policy of aggressive patrolling. Famous sites such as Bunker Hill, Hedy and Dagmar were occupied by the "Cacti" in this area.

On 28 May, First Outpost KATE began receiving a barrage of mixed mortar and artillery fire. Machine guns took up the pace. In just a matter of 15 minutes, friendly artillery, mortar and machine guns and tank fire completed the task of silencing three weapons. Then, seven minutes after a green parachute flare and small arms fire hit in the vicinity of Outpost 2, it was bludgeoned with machine gun and mortar fire, with bugles sounding in the background. Under friendly artillery illumination, an estimated force of two enemy companies advanced on Outpost 2 at 2215 hours. Friendly artillery and thirty-one mortars saturated enemy positions. In thirty minutes, small arms, automatic weapons, and flame throwers forced the enemy to break contact and withdraw with an estimated enemy loss of sixty (60) killed and seventy-five (75) wounded. Company "G" suffered two wounded.

June 1953

During June, the policy of aggressive and extensive patrolling continued. Men of the crack 35th Infantry demonstrated courage and heroism in the forceful patrolling actions. Four received Silver Stars and sixteen were awarded Bronze Stars for Valor. Seventy-nine meritorious awards were also given.

A prisoner of war agreement, the main stumbling block to a truce, was signed on 8 June 1953. On 17 June President Syngman Rhee released 27,000 anti-Red prisoners of war, and hopes for a truce were again low.

July 1953

On the night of 1 July, Master Sergeant James E. Roberts of Liveoaks, Florida, led a patrol to reconnoiter an advanced area toward outpost MARILYN. All communication ceased with enemy contact when the radioman was mortally wounded. Sergeant Roberts led aggressive fire in answer to a second enemy assault, at the same time firing a red flare for assistance. Three enemy became visible at close quarters; one jumped him, but a nearby private fired and killed the aggressor. The sergeant seized an enemy weapon, turned it upon the remaining pair, and killed both them both.

Meanwhile, a nearby friendly patrol and an alert patrol at the MLR rushed to aid the group. One group came in on a personnel carrier. Two patrol leaders, Lt. Lemcke and Lt. O’Donnel, met at the battle scene, assisted wounded onto the personnel carrier and organized a screen for wounded. Moving under fire, Master Sergeant Sienicki and Lt. Lemcke were wounded. With sheer guts, Sergeant Sienicki carried the wounded officer to safety, while Lt. O’Donnel bore a wounded and dead soldier back to the MLR.

Total friendly casualties, 2 killed and 10 wounded. Corporal Paul Bals and Corporal LeRoy Webb received Silver Stars for gallantry in action. Master Sergeant Roberts was awarded the Silver Star for his leadership and gallantry in action. Similar persistent defense activity continued until 7 July 1953, when the "Cacti" units, along with the rest of the 25th Division, were temporarily relieved of their combat mission, moved into I Corps reserve, and proceeded to Camp Casey at Tongduchon-Ni for rehabilitation and training.

13 July 1953, was a gala occasion for the 35th Infantry Regiment. The Regiment’s 37th birthday anniversary was celebrated. Military and athletic events heralded the occasion. Carnival-style concessions were set up with all proceeds going to the memorial fund to commemorate those "Cacti" who made the supreme sacrifice during the Regiment’s last combat mission. Seven Silver Stars and ten Bronze Stars were presented that day.

Following the celebration, the Regiment continued to conduct a vigorous training program, emphasizing small unit tactics, maximum utilization of supporting fires, coordinated team operations, and vigorous assault tactics. Company "L" was assigned a special mission at Seoul, assuming security of all bridges, tunnels, railroads and control points for eleven days.

The Cacti Regiment moved into a new sector near Yon-Chun, Korea. On 27 July 1953, the armistice agreement was signed at Panmunjon with hostilities to cease at 2200 hours of the same day.

An eerie silence fell across the front. The Korean War was over.

Late in July, "25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning)" became official, although it was used unofficially since December 1942. For the first time in Army history, a division was allowed to use a parenthetical designation besides its regular numerical designation.

Post-War Duty

In the middle of August, the 25th Division relieved the 7th Infantry Division in the Taegwang-Ni sector of the Imjin-Gang Valley.

The Division embarked on an intensive salvage operation to clear out the "Demilitarized Zone", which was designated at the signing of the armistice on 27 July 1953. These operations were completed by 13 September.

On 21 September, a vigorous training program for the non-commissioned officers of the 35th Regiment was initiated in the form of the Cacti Leadership School. The five-week school trained approximately fifty men per class, with special emphasis in the following subjects: patrolling, squad tactics, tank and infantry tactics, mines and demolition, field fortifications, map reading and command leadership.

Within the framework of training and education, the opening of the Cacti College, on 5 October 1953, marked the beginning of instruction cycles designed to raise the educational level and effectiveness of many men of the unit. Basic and intermediate levels of education took precedence in accordance with army priorities with an initial class of 98 men graduating after four weeks instruction and through achievement tests. On 11 November, off-duty classes, featuring six different subjects, began with 333 enrolled.

Colonel Charles H. Chase accepted the Regiment from Colonel Emil P. Eschenburg on 14 October, when the latter was transferred to the I Corps General Staff.

In line with the multifold and intensified training programs, special emphasis was laid on all mortar sections and tank platoons starting the third week of November. This program was integrated in a range of instruction topics and cycles including chemical, biological and radiological warfare, vehicle driving, and officer and non-commissioned officer seminars. By the year’s end, all mortar and recoilless rifle sections had fired specially prepared training missions, while small arms familiarization firing had been conducted through the Regiment.

At times, the men of the 35th were driven back, but they were never beaten. From the desperate days before the Pusan perimeter to the present, the 35th Infantry Regiment has proved to the Communist enemies that the "Cacti Regiment" has thorns that are to be reckoned with.

The 35th Infantry Regiment had compiled a distinguished record as one of the best regiments in the Eighth Army, serving in all ten campaigns of the Korean War, receiving a Presidential Unit Citation and three Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations.

In 1954 the 25th Infantry Division returned to its birthplace at Schofield Barracks, Territory of Hawaii. As the Army's strategic reserve for the Pacific, the Tropic Lightning Division began a full-scale training program to prepare it for any contingency. Jungle training and counter-guerrilla operations were emphasized.