Darrel and I were stationed in Korea at the same time, and
visited each other on the weekends when time permited. We were
both on the DMZ, but about 25 miles apart.
Darrel in Springfield HS
Darrel before starting school
I ALWAYS KNEW THAT MY BROTHER WAS A HERO. BUT I NEVER KNEW HIM. I
HAVE PICTURES AND LETTERS THAT HE WROTE MY MOTHER BUT THAT IS ALL I
HAVE. I KNOW I LOVE MY BOTHER SO MUCH AND I MISS HIM TERRIBLY! I
WISH I KNEW HIM MORE. HE WAS A GOOD MAN. HE LOVED HIS PARENTS,
SISTERS, AND OTHER FAMILY. I NEVER MET HIS WIFE BUT I AM SURE SHE
WAS A GOOD PERSON IF MY BROTHER LOVED HER. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE MY
HEART, MY MIND! HE LIVED AND DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY AND WOULD DO IT
AGAIN TODAY!
Darrell was in my Class in Springfield HS, Springfield Tn. We both joined the Army out of HS. During my 1st tour in Korea, I ran into Darrell up on the DMZ in the western area where the 1st Cav was located. I was able to stay for the weekend, and we talked a lot about Springfield, and what we were going to do when we returned home. The camp I was stationed at was in the central area of the DMZ, so we only got together a few times during the remainder of our tour.
During my tour in Vietnam, about 6 months after arrival, we moved up the coast to a small village called Phu Tai, just out side of Qui Nhon. When I returned to Tennessee in October 67, I found out that Darrell had been killed in Vietnam. I latter found out that he was stationed in Pleiku, where we hauled cargo to daily. Darrell was working near Bong Son, at LZ English when it was hit by a very large VC attack. Darrell was killed by shrapnel from a mortar round hitting the Ammo Dump.
I Salute Darrell, and all my Fellow Soldiers that gave there lives for our Freedom.
Bruce Richards
E mail to Bruce Richards