35th Infantry (Cacti) Regiment Association


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  PFC Gary Grant Rushing    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, PFC Gary Grant Rushing, who died in the service of his country on October 27th, 1966 in Kontum Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Gary was 23 years of age. He was from Winston Salem, North Carolina. Gary is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 11E, Line 120.

The decorations earned by PFC Gary Grant Rushing include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, 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.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Private First Class Rushing distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 October 1966 while serving as pointman with a platoon of the 35th Infantry on a search and destroy mission. Leading the unit out of the landing zone, Private Rushing alertly spotted and fired on two North Vietnamese soldiers ahead of him. After mortar fire was placed in the area to their front, Private Rushing again took the point. When he suddenly received hostile sniper fire, he dauntlessly returned the fire, allowing the platoon time to deploy just before the entire area erupted into a fierce battle. When a soldier's rifle jammed, Private Rushing daringly exposed himself, ran to the man's side and provided covering fire until the weapon was repaired. Then, as the enemy began to assault from another direction, he fearlessly shed his cumbersome web gear, picked up his grenades and advanced alone through the dense undergrowth. Disregarding the intense hostile fire directed at him, Private Rushing continued to charge while firing his weapon and throwing grenades. Through his courageous actions he killed three insurgents and inspired his comrades to rout the enemy; however, he was mortally wounded by hostile fire as he attempted to return for more ammunition. Private First Class Rushing's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.