35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  PFC Cecil James Clack    In memory of our fallen brother

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother"



Echo Company
1st Battalion
35th Infantry Regiment

Vietnam War


"Not For Fame or Reward
Not For Place or For Rank
But In Simple Obedience To
Duty as They Understood It"

National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal






The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Cecil James Clack, who died in the service of his country on January 1st, 1969 in Pleiku Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Drowned (Body Not Recovered). At the time of his death Cecil was 21 years of age. He was from Chester, South Carolina. Cecil is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 35W, Line 15.

The decorations earned by PFC Cecil James Clack include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.


Cecil drown in the Se San River bordering Pleiku and Kontum provinces. The second picture is of the Recon platoon working in the river shortly before Cecil drown, A close inspection will show the rope they were using to cross. Cecil lost his grip and was swept away by the swift current despite being an excellent swimmer. Extensive searches were undertaken over many days but his body was not recovered.

That was for a mission near Cambodia and he already swam across with the first rope and he was going back to bring a second rope across for us to use in crossing. (from Gerald Tobin)