35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  PFC Lawrence Francis Scherrer    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"



Bravo Company
2nd 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 Lawrence Francis Scherrer, who died in the service of his country on May 19th, 1967 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Mine While Setting-Up Perimeter Defense. At the time of his death Lawrence was 21 years of age. He was from St. Louis, Missouri. Lawrence is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 20E, Line 49.

The decorations earned by PFC Lawrence Francis Scherrer 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.


Lawrence is buried in Assumption Cemetery, St. Louis County, Missouri.

(His BSV Citation)

General Orders 2133, Award Of The Bronze Star For Heroism, 4th Division, 21 July 1967

For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 19 May 1967 Private First Class Scherrer distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman in B,2/35th Infantry, which was operating near Duc Pho. The company had made contact with the NVA and, in the ensuing fire fight, two men were wounded and lay within a few meters of an enemy machine gun. Private First Class Scherrer's squad was instructed to maneuver to the flank of the enemy and give covering fire so that the wounded could be extracted. When the squad had taken up its new position, Private First Class Scherrer got up and ran forward through intense enemy fire to within hand grenade throwing range of the machine gun. Firing as he moved, he was able to reach a covered position close to the machine gun, but he was mortally wounded when an enemy grenade burst nearby. Private First Class Scherrer's courageous actions distracted the enemy and enabled his comrades to silence the machine gun and remove the wounded men from their exposed position. His heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.