35th Infantry Regiment (Cacti) Association

2LT Mel Ernest Salazar Jr. 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"

Charlie 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"

The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, 2LT Mel Ernest Salazar Jr., who died in the service of his country on January 19th, 1970 in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Mel was 20 years of age. He was from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mel is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 14W, Line 47.

The decorations earned by 2LT Mel Ernest Salazar Jr. include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Soldiers Medal, the Bronze 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.

Mel is buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetry, Plot 0-680. R.I.P. Mel