The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Richard Ray Irwin Jr., who died in the service of his country on October 9th, 1967 in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Richard was 20 years of age. He was from Arcadia, California. Richard is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 27E, Line 80.
The decorations earned by PFC Richard Ray Irwin Jr. 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.
Rick graduated from Arcadia H.S. in 1965.Growing up in Southern California Rick loved to surf and spend time with his cousins and aunt and uncle Jack and Georgette Grant in Huntington Beach. Rick is buried next to his mother Louise (Muller) Irwin. Rick was a true American HERO, he gave his life for his country and HE is still missed terribly by his family.
(His BSV Citation)
General Orders 3510, Award of The Bronze Star for Heroism, 4th Division 24 October 1967
For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 October 1967 Private First Class Irwin distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman with A, 1/35th Infantry conducting a search and destroy mission. Private First Class Irwin's platoon was approaching a suspected enemy concentration when it began receiving machine gun and small arms fire from an entrenched NVA force estimated at company size. He noticed an enemy machine gun emplacement which threatened his platoon's safety. Courageously, he rushed the enemy position through a storm of machine gun and rifle fire. Undeterred by the enemy's fierce attempts to check him, he grenaded the emplacement and demolished it. He then turned back and, though still exposed to enemy fire, attempted to extricate a wounded comrade from the field of battle. He was mortally wounded before he could bring the man to safety. Private First Class Irwin's personal bravery in the face of the enemy was an inspiration to all of the men in his platoon and aided greatly in the accomplishment of the units mission. His heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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