HONORED ON PANEL 6W, LINE 45 OF THE WALL
DARRELL LEE COLFORD
WALL NAME
DARRELL L COLFORD
PANEL / LINE
6W/45
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR DARRELL LEE COLFORD
POSTED ON 2.28.2025
POSTED BY: Barbara Alm
Saturday afternoon
Darrel, I often remember a Saturday afternoon when you, I , Kathie and Dick were playing a board game in the Jahn’s front room. Don’t remember the game or who won, probably Dick, he won everything. Sadly, two of those kids, you and Kathie, died too young. Kathie in a car accident, you in service to your country. Looked up your name on the Wall when I visited DC. Thought of you then and as I do every Memorial Day. Thank you for your service my friend. RIP.
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POSTED ON 8.15.2023
POSTED BY: Paul Michael Huddleston
Remembering that awful day
For Stuart Blankenship's request for details:
I was Darrell's commanding officer.
I think his mission assignment that day was with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, but I’m not at all sure of that. I do remember clearly that it was to the Nhon Trach area, an enemy stronghold just east of Saigon and about 50km from our base at Long Binh. Our platoon clerk, SP5 Steve Chazen, drove Darrell and his scout dog, Butch, to the airstrip, where they boarded helicopters with the unit they were supporting. It was to be a dawn assault, so they were airborne before first light.
We were notified of Darrell’s death around 8:00 that morning. My platoon sergeant, SFC Burke, and I went immediately to the hospital and confirmed Darrell’s identification. We then drove out to the Nhon Trach operational area, arriving there about noon. We talked to the troops that had been with him, and learned that Darrell had just stepped off the helicopter with Butch, when either he or Butch apparently tripped a booby trap. According to those soldiers, the explosion was about the size of a standard U.S. M26 fragmentation grenade, which it probably was. The blast killed Butch immediately and severely wounded Darrell, who was rendered unconscious. The troops immediately put Darrell back on the helicopter he had just arrived on, which took off for the hospital at Long Binh. A few minutes later the helicopter arrived at the hospital and Darrell was rushed into triage, where they found that he had passed away. The hospital officially declared him dead on arrival. Only a few minutes had elapsed between the explosion and his arrival at the hospital, and I was told that he never regained consciousness.
Darrell’s loss was crushing to all of us, and the whole platoon mourned. The Brigade Chaplain come to our platoon area and performed a memorial service the next day. Darrell’s death was a terrible tragedy, and I’m certain that no platoon member will ever forget him.
I was Darrell's commanding officer.
I think his mission assignment that day was with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, but I’m not at all sure of that. I do remember clearly that it was to the Nhon Trach area, an enemy stronghold just east of Saigon and about 50km from our base at Long Binh. Our platoon clerk, SP5 Steve Chazen, drove Darrell and his scout dog, Butch, to the airstrip, where they boarded helicopters with the unit they were supporting. It was to be a dawn assault, so they were airborne before first light.
We were notified of Darrell’s death around 8:00 that morning. My platoon sergeant, SFC Burke, and I went immediately to the hospital and confirmed Darrell’s identification. We then drove out to the Nhon Trach operational area, arriving there about noon. We talked to the troops that had been with him, and learned that Darrell had just stepped off the helicopter with Butch, when either he or Butch apparently tripped a booby trap. According to those soldiers, the explosion was about the size of a standard U.S. M26 fragmentation grenade, which it probably was. The blast killed Butch immediately and severely wounded Darrell, who was rendered unconscious. The troops immediately put Darrell back on the helicopter he had just arrived on, which took off for the hospital at Long Binh. A few minutes later the helicopter arrived at the hospital and Darrell was rushed into triage, where they found that he had passed away. The hospital officially declared him dead on arrival. Only a few minutes had elapsed between the explosion and his arrival at the hospital, and I was told that he never regained consciousness.
Darrell’s loss was crushing to all of us, and the whole platoon mourned. The Brigade Chaplain come to our platoon area and performed a memorial service the next day. Darrell’s death was a terrible tragedy, and I’m certain that no platoon member will ever forget him.
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POSTED ON 1.23.2023
POSTED BY: Stuart Blankenship
Thinking of my friend Darrell
Darrell and I were Dog Handler training together at Fort Benning in 1970. We became good friends during that time.
He deployed for Vietnam before I did and sent me a letter with his unit information and a little update on what it was like.
When I got there I dropped him a line so he'd have my contact info.
At the end of November '70, my C.O. sent me down to Bien Hoa to the main in country training and HQ unit to pick up and return with a new Veterinarian for our unit.
I had a little spare time so I went looking for Darrell at the 38th IPSD. It was unbelievable and simply devastating to find out that he'd been killed in action a few weeks before.
I was a bit stunned and just left without finding out what had happened to him.
While I've visited him at the Wall and did a rubbing years ago, to this day I've never know what happened.
Like many of us in the Army then, Darrell and I became good friends. I wouldn't say we were best friends, but good friends. He was easy to be with and a good listener and we hit it off. We shared similar interests in sports and some of the same points of view.
If it isn't too much to ask and without creating any pain for anyone, I'd love have some idea of what happened.
Since he and I did the same job, I understand the risks involved.
I was fortunate, or lucky, or both.
Stuart W Blankenship
He deployed for Vietnam before I did and sent me a letter with his unit information and a little update on what it was like.
When I got there I dropped him a line so he'd have my contact info.
At the end of November '70, my C.O. sent me down to Bien Hoa to the main in country training and HQ unit to pick up and return with a new Veterinarian for our unit.
I had a little spare time so I went looking for Darrell at the 38th IPSD. It was unbelievable and simply devastating to find out that he'd been killed in action a few weeks before.
I was a bit stunned and just left without finding out what had happened to him.
While I've visited him at the Wall and did a rubbing years ago, to this day I've never know what happened.
Like many of us in the Army then, Darrell and I became good friends. I wouldn't say we were best friends, but good friends. He was easy to be with and a good listener and we hit it off. We shared similar interests in sports and some of the same points of view.
If it isn't too much to ask and without creating any pain for anyone, I'd love have some idea of what happened.
Since he and I did the same job, I understand the risks involved.
I was fortunate, or lucky, or both.
Stuart W Blankenship
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POSTED ON 12.18.2021
POSTED BY: John Fabris
honoring you...
Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your sisters (?) Cindi, Sally, and Becky are especially poignant and reflect their love and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....
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POSTED ON 5.25.2020
POSTED BY: Cindi Colford Runowski
The Day the Sargent Came
Our mother called me around 9 am to come sit with her, she had been tense all weekend, concerned something was wrong. I was there 15 mins. when we heard the knock on the door. We knew as soon as we saw him what had happened. I told him where to find Dad, and he brought him home. Our parents held each other and cried. Berated themselves for being poor and not able to protect their son.
It was heartbreaking. We miss you still, Darrell. A bright light went out when we lost you.
It was heartbreaking. We miss you still, Darrell. A bright light went out when we lost you.
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