The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, 2LT Robert James Lazaro, 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 Robert was 20 years of age. He was from Glendora, New Jersey. Robert is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 27E, Line 82.
The decorations earned by 2LT Robert James Lazaro include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Silver 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 the Beverly National Cemetery, NJ. He was survived by his mother Marian, sisters Mary and Marian, and brother David Lazaro. His mother was active with the Auxiliary Unit of American Legion Stetser-Lamartine Post 281 in Glendora until her passing in 2001.
GENRAL ORDERS 3519 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 9 October 1967, Second Lieutenant Lazaro distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, conducting a search and destroy operation near Phuoc Son. When Company A made contact with a force of the North Vietnamese Army, an intense fire fight began and several men in his platoon were wounded in the initial burst of fire. Second Lieutenant Lazaro attempted to maneuver part of the point squad to the flank of the enemy but the heavy hostile fire forced him to withdraw. Immediately, he moved back to the main area of contact and then moved forward until he was in front of the wounded personnel. Second Lieutenant Lazaro stood up and began delivering intense and accurate fire on the enemy positions to his front. His effective fire kept the enemy pinned down long enough for the wounded and the dead to be evacuated. Firing constantly for a prolonged period, he expended his ammunition and could no longer deliver fire for his own protection. Still under enemy fire, he moved back to secure more ammunition and again move forward. Second Lieutenant Lazaro crawled to one of the wounded and dragged him back to a safe position, stopping only to fire back at the enemy. He was in the process of moving to assist and rally a group of his men when he was mortally wounded by enemy gunfire. Second Lieutenant Lazaro's exceptional gallantry is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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