35th Infantry Regiment (Cacti) Association

PFC Melvin John Byers 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
1st 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"

The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Melvin John Byers, who died in the service of his country on February 6th, 1968 in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Booby Trap (Wounded 01/25/1968. At the time of his death Melvin was 21 years of age. He was from Tustin, Michigan. Melvin is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 37E, Line 49.

The decorations earned by PFC Melvin John Byers include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, 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.

Melvin was a 1964 graduate of Tustin, MI High School and was an excellent baseball player.
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Melvin is buried in Burdwell Twp. Cemetery, Osceola County, MI
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(His BSV Citation)

Award Of The Bronze Star Medal For Heroism

For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Byers distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman with Company D, 1/35th Infantry. On 25 January 1968, Company D was conducting a search and destroy mission a few miles north of LZ Baldy. Private First Class Byers and several comrades volunteered to guard a group of civilian-clothed enemy suspects detained during the mission. Suddenly one of the suspects started running towards a nearby village. Concerned for the safety of his comrades, Private First Class Byers chose to pursue the fleeing suspect rather then fire at him. As he reached the thick underbrush where the suspect sought cover, Private First Class Byers tripped a well-concealed booby trap, mortally wounding the suspect and seriously wounding himself. Although evacuated immediately, he later succumbed to his wounds. Private First Class Byers' concern for the welfare and safety of his comrades, quick thinking, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.