THE WALL OF FACES

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.

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

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....

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 has been 49 years, since our brother Darrell died in Viet Nam along with his Scout Dog Butch. He was very intelligent, well read and was involved in politics. What could he have achieved had he lived? He had graduated from college, so he enlisted entering Officer Candidate School and later switching to Platoon Scout Dogs. Being 25 years old, he looked out for the younger guys, he was the old man. He even did that in our neighborhood when he was young. When asked why he was enlisting and didn't just be a draft dodger, he quoted Oliver Wendell Holmes, who said, " A man must participate in the events of this time." Referring to Holmes own service in the Civil War. How many young man would even think of such a statement. It shows the magnitude of our loss. We think of him often. As other soldiers continue in harms way, we think of them. We were informed of his death on Veteran's Day, so it has a dual meaning for us. It is an important day for us to remember all Veterans and their sacrifice.