35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  PV2 Richard Eugene Smelcer    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"



Baker 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, PV2 Richard Eugene Smelcer, RA16327025, who died in the service of his country on September 14th, 1950 in South Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Richard was 17 years of age. He was from Five Points, Wisconsin. Richard's Military Occupation Specialty was 4745-Light Weapons Infantryman.

The decorations earned by PV2 Richard Eugene Smelcer 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 Smelcer was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on September 14, 1950. Private Smelcer 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.

I went to school with Dick. He was a handsome young man, full of fun and so pleasant. And so young to be lost to us forever. I think of him often. (Aleta M Maloney)

BURIAL LOCATION:FIVE POINTS CEMETERY, BLUE RIVER, WI