35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  PFC James Gregory Mesa    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
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 James Gregory Mesa, who died in the service of his country on September 30th, 1968 in Quang Duc Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death James was 20 years of age. He was from Jamul, California. James is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 42W, Line 48.

The decorations earned by PFC James Gregory Mesa include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, 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.


James is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, San Diego, CA

Ken McCormack
kenmac1@cox.net
Served with him
PO Box 37 Spring Valley CA 91977 USA
Truly a nice guy.
I met Jim in boot camp and we went on to Infantry training together. We teased him about being to nice a guy for war. And we meant it. And then on to Vietnam where a quirk of fate seperated us at the replacement depot. He was truly one of the nicest guys I have ever known and it does not suprise me to read that he died trying to help someone else. I am placing a plaque to him on the Mt. Soledad Memorial in San Diego for those who would like to visit.
Jul 8, 2009

Billie Brewer
I went to school with Jimmy......He was a great guy. He played a mean trumpet!!!! God Bless you Jimmy.
May 25, 2009

robert gwyn
ragtag51@hotmail.com
friend
204e. chestnut butler mo 64730 usa
good friend
I READ THAT WHEN YOU GUYS WERE CAUGHT IN A L-SHAPED AMBUSH.TWO OF YOUR BUDDIES WERE DROPPED IN THE MIIDDLE OF THE ROAD.FROM A RELATIVE SAFE POSITION ALONG THE ROAD.UNDER HEAVEY FIRE YOU WENT OUT TO TRY AND SAVE YOUR BUDDIES.SHOT UP SO BAD IT WAS A CLOSED CASKET.TALKING TO YOUR BROTHER YEARS LATER ABOUT IT HE WAS STILL MAD AT WHY YOU WOULD DO THAT.THAT WAS JIM..THE FEW YEARS I KNEW HIM I COULD SEE HIM DOING THAT.SUCH A GREAT GUY.I THINK OF HIM EVERY SEPT 30TH.THE DAY HE WAS KILLED TRYING TO HELP IS BUDDIES..1968.I ALWAYS THINK TO MY SELF..GOD,JIM WOULD OF BEEN THIS AGE.IM SO PROUD TO HAVE KNOWN HIM.BOB GWYN
May 17, 2009