35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  CPL Michael Charles Petruska    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"



Charlie Company
35th Infantry Regiment
Korean 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 Korean Service Medal United Nations Korean Service Medal Republic of Korea War Service Medal



The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, CPL Michael Charles Petruska, US51021112, who died in the service of his country on October 27th, 1951 in North Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Michael was 24 years of age. He was from Jersey City, New Jersey. Michael's Military Occupation Specialty was 4745-Light Weapons Infantryman.

The decorations earned by CPL Michael Charles Petruska include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.


Corporal Petruska was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in North Korea on June 6, 1951 and returned to duty on June 18, 1951. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on October 27, 1951. His remains were not recovered. Corporal Petruska was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.