The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Sidney Earl Bacchus, 37568794, who died in the service of his country on May 20th, 1945 in Luzon, The Philippines. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Sidney was 20 years of age. He was from Alexandria, Minnesota.
The decorations earned by PFC Sidney Earl Bacchus include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Sidney Earl Bacchus was a graduate of Alexandria High School and was inducted on his 19th birthday June 30th, 1943. Trained at Camp Roberts, CA, Embarked for overseas Jan 5, 1944, Sent to Luzon Island with Company B, 35th Infantry 25 Division on January 1945. Killed on 20 May 1945. Two of his brother were in the Navy at the time one who graduated two weeks later from the Naval Academy, the other in a V-12 squadron at Notre Dame.
Sidney is was re-buried on July 5, 1948 in Alexandria, MN with full military honors.
Mr. James Bacchus
Box 337
Alexandria, Minnesota
Dear Mr. Bacchus,
By now you have undoubtedly been notified of the death of your son Sidney, Realizing the overwhelming grief and sorrow that now exists among the family, I wish to express my sincere condolence. It is impossible for me or any member of this Company to express the sorrow his death has caused. I am sure though, that you would want to know the details leading-up to his death.
On May 20, 1945, the Company had the mission of clearing out a group of caves. This was along the highway leading up to Balete Pass in northern Luzon, Philippine Islands. Sidney was platoon runner and was busy at keeping communication between his platoon leader and the forward squad. On one of his trips, he heard a grenade go off so he stepped into a cave. A terrific explosion followed and your son was killed by the concussion of the explosion. The Japs undermined a whole section of the hill with explosives and the grenade set-off these charges.
Sidney was buried with full military honors in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery at Santa Barbara, Luzon, Philippines Islands. Once again I and the members of his Company wish to express our deepest sympathy over the death of your son, and one of our friends. If you have any further questions please feel free to call on me at any time.
Sincerely,
Harry R Berry
1st Lt, 35th Infantry,
Commanding
Mr. James Bacchus
Box 337
Alexandria, Minnesota
Dear Mr. Bacchus,
I am writing to express my sincere sympathies at the death of your son, Sidney E Bacchus, who was killed on May 20. I regret that it has been necessary for young men to sacrifice their lives for our country, but we are proud of these men and grateful for what they have given, resolving that they shall not have died in vain. As his father you can well be proud of your son and what he has done for our common cause.
Sidney was killed as a result of an explosion from a Jap cave near Balete Pass here on Luzon. This cave had been spotted, and the squad closed in to demolish it. The cave proved to be an enemy ammunition dump, and the explosion that resulted was terrific. Three others in addition to Sidney were killed instantly. I spoke with a buddy of his, Mike Troth from B Company, who told me that Sid had spoken so often about his family and had shown him pictures of his home in Alexandria. Mike says he thought the world and all of his buddy. His comrades and superior officers alike tell me that Sidney conducted himself according to the greatest heights of soldierly standards in battle and that he quit himself like the man he was.
Sidney was buried with military honors at U.S.A.F. Cemetery, Santa Barbara No. 1, Luzon, Philippine Islands. There he rests under one of the many white crosses nestled under the palms.
All his friends would like to write to you. Some may do so, but most of them are looking to me to express to you for them their deep regrets at the passing of one of their comrades in arms. They join me in expressing to you these sentiments.
Sincerely Yours,
Sanford O Shafland
Chaplain, U.S.A.
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