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  SFC Bartolome S. Ribac    In memory of our fallen brother


Charlie Company
35th Infantry Regiment
Korean 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, SFC Bartolome S. Ribac, RA30103257, who died in the service of his country on September 18th, 1950 in South Korea. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Bartolome was 30 years of age. Bartolome's Military Occupation Specialty was 2745-Light Weapons Infantry Leader.

The decorations earned by SFC Bartolome S. Ribac include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross, 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.

Sergeant First Class Ribac was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on September 18, 1950. Sergeant First Class Ribac was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge,the DSC, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

SFC Ribac was from the Virgin Islands

His DSC citation:

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Bartolome S. Ribac (RA30103257), Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a machine-gunner with Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Ribac distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Uiryong, Korea, on 18 September 1950. Sergeant Ribac's platoon launched an attack across a small valley with the mission securing a well-fortified ridge running parallel to the front. Immediately after the unit made the "jump-off" the enemy began delivering a withering hail of automatic weapons and rifle fire from along the entire ridge pinning the platoon down. At the same time the enemy began to fire mortars into the group, causing numerous casualties. Sergeant Ribac immediately leaped to his feet, carrying his machine-gun, and charged the enemy-held hill. In spite of the murderous hail of bullets and bursting shells, he ran to the top of the ridge and into the ranks of the enemy. Once on the ridge he deliberately set up his gun in an extremely exposed position and began delivering effective fire on the enemy. Due to his open position and accurate fire, the enemy was forced to direct their fire at him. Ignoring the enemy grenade bursts and small-arms fire which churned the dirt around him, Sergeant Ribac continued his determined and deadly firing on the enemy positions until he fell mortally wounded. However, his courageous action diverted the enemy long enough for his comrades to extract themselves from an almost hopeless situation and continue the attack and accomplish their mission.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 55 (February 6, 1951)
Home Town: Virgin Islands