35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  SGT Ricardo Leon Moreno    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"



Bravo 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, SGT Ricardo Leon Moreno, who died in the service of his country on May 28th, 1966 in Pleiku Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Ricardo was 29 years of age. He was from Greeley, Colorado. Ricardo is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 07E, Line 119.

The decorations earned by SGT Ricardo Leon Moreno 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.

(His BSV Citation)

General Orders 56, Award of The Bronze Star for Heroism, 25th Division, 8 August 1966

For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Moreno distinguished himself by heroic action on 29 May 1966, while serving as a fire team leader with B, 2/35th Infantry. This unit was lifted by helicopter into a landing zone in the Central Highlands northwest of Duc Co. On landing the entire unit came under heavy enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire from elements of a NVA regiment. Although Sergeant Moreno's platoon was able to move to one side of the landing zone, they were unable to progress against the dug-in enemy positions due to the intense fire they were receiving. Recognizing this dilemma, Sergeant Moreno knew the only way to get his team moving again was to set the example himself. He quickly directed his grenadier to provide covering fire and with complete disregard for his own safety dashed forward to a new position closer to the enemy bunkers. This outstanding example of leadership and personal bravery inspired the other members of his team, who soon moved forward to join him. This spontaneous action spread to other members of the squad, and shortly thereafter the entire platoon was progressing forward. On numerous occasions Sergeant Moreno was observed displaying this same type of decisive action that, over a period of hours, eventually insured the success of the entire mission. It was during one of these encounters, while courageously driving his team forward, that Sergeant Moreno was mortally wounded by enemy fire. This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.