35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  PFC Robert Ernest Diehl    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"



Delta 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 Robert Ernest Diehl, who died in the service of his country on March 2nd, 1969 in Pleiku Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Multi-Frag. At the time of his death Robert was 20 years of age. He was from Prospect Park, Pennsylvania. Robert is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 30W, Line 12.

The decorations earned by PFC Robert Ernest Diehl 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.


Robert is buried at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple, PA.

I never met you. I went to grade school with your brother, Paul. He told me that he lost a brother in Vietnam. He said that his brother was killed by a grenade and that your body had protected others from being killed. I have never forgotton that conversation. I have been a paramedic for 16 years and credit your action with helping me keep a perspective on the value of others and the value of serving one's fellow man. May we meet one day... Jim McCans


Posted By:
Jim McCans
JPMcC306@aol.com
Tuesday, November 30, 1999
Relationship: friend

(From the Obituary)A Prospect Park Army infantryman, whose two older brothers are Vietnam veterans, has been killed there.

Pfc Robert E Diehl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph L Diehl of 849 12th Avenue, was killed during a fire fight involving units of the Army's 35th Infantry.

Diehl was born in Delaware County and graduated from Interboro High School in 1966. He was active in the football program of Norwood Boys Club. After graduation, Diehl worked at the Foam Division plant of Scott Paper Co. in Eddystone. He was drafted last July, and received basic training at Fort Bragg, NC and AIT at Fort Polk, LA. He was home on a 15-day leave just before Christmas.


An older brother James served two tours in Vietnam with the Marines. Another brother William was on duty in Vietnam for six months. A third brother Ralph, served with the Marines in Hawaii. In addition to his parents and these brothers, he is survived by another brother, Mark, and a sister, Regina, both at home.