35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


Back    KIA Index    Search

  PFC William James Mack    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"



HHC
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 William James Mack, who died in the service of his country on January 20th, 1967 in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death William was 20 years of age. He was from Buffalo, New York. William is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 14E, Line 58.

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


Word was received here Monday of the death in Vietnam of Pfc William J Mack,20, of 98 Smith Street.
A Defense Department telegram to his mother, Mrs. Dorothy H Mack, said her son was killed in combat Friday.
The young soldier joined the Army after a brief stint with the Job Corps in Georgia and he was sent to Vietnam last September.
In his last letter to his mother postmarked November 30, Pfc Mack told of frequent encounters with the enemy, ambushes, and death on both sides. The soldier's last letter also mentioned that he was going to have a party for his 20th birthday December 27th.
Besides his mother, Pfc Mack is survived by his father Laverne Mack of Claredon, PA; three brothers: Pfc David Mack with the Army in Bellvue,VA, Pfc Dennis Mack with the Marine Corps, and Laverne Mack Jr at home. Also surviving at home is a sister Judy.
Mrs. Mack said her sons body is en route home from Vietnam. She is making arrangements with the Jennison Funeral Home, 531 South Park Ave.

William is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo. He is buried within sight of Weldon H Young, B, 1/35th, KIA 11-20-1966.