The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Melvin James Michaels, RA16335916, who died in the service of his country on September 7th, 1951 in Hills 717-682, North Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Melvin was 19 years of age. He was from Porter County, Indiana. Melvin's Military Occupation Specialty was 4745-Light Weapons Infantryman.

The decorations earned by PFC Melvin James Michaels include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

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Private First Class Michaels was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in South Korea on May 22, 1951 and returned to duty on June 9, 1951. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on September 7, 1951. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. Private First Class Michaels was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.