Cacti. 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry. Tropic Lightning. Vietnam Combat Infantry Veteran.

The Combat Infantryman Badge is earned, not given. This premium 15oz black ceramic mug honors the Vietnam Combat Infantry Veterans of the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti" who served under the 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning" SSI — soldiers who closed with and destroyed the enemy in the jungles of Vietnam and came home carrying the weight of that experience.

The Cacti. From the Border to the Jungle.

Created on 1 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona from elements of the 11th, 18th, and 22nd Infantry Regiments, the 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti" has a combat lineage stretching from the Mexico-US border — including the Battle of Ambos Nogales in 1918 — through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, always as part of the 25th Infantry Division. In Vietnam, the 1st Battalion carried the Cacti name and the Tropic Lightning SSI into some of the war's most demanding infantry combat.

Product Specifications

• Material: Premium black ceramic
• Capacity: 15 oz (0.44 L)
• Height: 4.72 in | Diameter: 3.15 in
• Rounded corners with classic C-handle
• High-quality sublimation printing
• Note: Black print on black mug may vary slightly in tone — use transparent background artwork for best results

A Gift for a Cacti Vietnam Combat Veteran

For the Vietnam Combat Infantry Veteran who served with the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry and the 25th ID, or the family member who wants to honor their service, this mug is a deeply personal tribute. The Cacti regiment name, Tropic Lightning SSI, and Combat Infantry Veteran designation together make it instantly meaningful to those who were there — perfect for Veterans Day, Vietnam War commemorations, reunions, or honoring an infantryman who earned his CIB in the jungle.

Unit History

The 35th Infantry Regiment ("Cacti") was created on 1 July 1916 at Douglas, Arizona from elements of the 11th, 18th, and 22nd Infantry Regiments. It served on the Mexico–US border during World War I and fought the Battle of Ambos Nogales on 27 August 1918. In World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the regiment served as part of the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning). As of 2012, the only active element is the 2nd Battalion, assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.