35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  PFC Thomas John Ward    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"



Able 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, PFC Thomas John Ward, RA10610242, who died in the service of his country on August 22nd, 1950 in South Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Thomas was 24 years of age. Thomas' Military Occupation Specialty was 4745-Light Weapons Infantryman.

The decorations earned by PFC Thomas John Ward 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.


Private First Class Ward was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while defending the Chung-ni-Mason route into the Pusan Perimeter, South Korea on August 22, 1950. Private First Class Ward was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantrymans 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.

BURIAL LOCATION:DONAGHMOYNE CEMETERY, CARRICKMACROS, IRELAND

A letter from General MacArthur

A letter of sympathy from General MacArthur, United States Commander-in-Chief, has been received by Mr. T. J. Ward, merchant, Main St., Carrickmacross, whose son (as announced in last issue), Thomas J., serving in the American Army, was killed in action in Korea. The letter ran:

"Dear Mr. Ward, the untimely and tragic death of your son, Thomas, who met his death on the field of battle in Korea, has shocked all of us deeply. Some measure of comfort may be derived from the knowledge that he died in the service of his country and in defense of a peace-loving people."

"I am confident that his devotion to duty, as the cost of all he held dear, will hasten the day when ruthless aggression shall disappear from the face of the earth and free men will live together everywhere in peace and harmony."

"Our faith enables us to withstand the shock and grief of death. It is my earnest prayer that Almighty God will sustain and strengthen you in this hour of trial. While the loss of your beloved one will be a hardship, we know that no life is really lost for those who have faith in God."

"Sincerely yours, General MacArthur."

The young soldier was an American citizen. Born in Antrim, Nothern Ireland, Belfast County