DARRELL ASA JACKSON
PFC - E3 - Army -
Selective Service
11D10
11th Armored Cavalry
20 year old Married, *Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 24, 1946
From CLARKSTON, WASHINGTON
His tour of duty began on Aug 28, 1966
Casualty was on Oct 14, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Religion
LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON
Panel 11E - - Line 74
Remains interred Tribal
Cemetery, Sweetwater, Nez Perce County, Idaho
Photo Submissio: John Effinger
* The official record of Darrell Asa Jackson lists his race as Caucasian.
In a letter to John Effinger of I Troop, dated February 20, 2004, Darrell's sister,
Venus L. St.Paul-Endicott writes that Darrell was
an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho. His parents were Jacob Bride
Jackson, enrolled Nez Perce, and Frances Lou
Slow Jackson, enrolled Sioux.
The Combat Area Casualties Current File, also known as the CACCF,
provides for a race classification of an American Indian - I. Why PFC Jackson was
listed as Caucasian is not known.
Explanation Of Terms
Do You Have A Remembrance Of This Hero? Post It By Clicking
The Button Below.
Darrell Asa Jackson Is Remembered On The 36th Anniversary Of
His Death.
October 14, 2002
"Combat Patrol, 14 October 1966"
Posted By: Dennis Joyce, 1SG, USA, Ret
e-Mail: djoyce@airmail.net
Relationship: Patrol Leader
I was the leader of the Combat Patrol when Jackson was killed. This was the first
action K troop participated in as a Troop after our arrival in VN. We were laagered
between two, or possibly three, villages. Actually it was just a handful of hootches.
The Infantry Squad Leader, SSG Robert L. Hatcher, was to ill to take the patrol so I told
Lt. Willie Manning I would take it. We were to sweep through a group of hootches to
the south of our position and swing up a wood-line south east of our position out about
1000 meters and then sweep north. We hadn't traversed 300 meters when we came to a
deadfall. Although we had received no fire, we were having radio difficulties. I ordered a
line formation and entered the wooded area heading north in an attempt to gain some
maneuver room to continue east.
The woods proved to be impenetrable at that point. We reversed direction and skirted the
wood-line back to the west and swung north again in the clear. We set up a perimeter
because our radio had gone completely dead at that point. SSG James L. Pennington (Who
wasn't supposed to be there, although I didn't know it at the time.) led Jackson and two
others, back into the forest claiming we must continue the mission. You can't continue a
mission to locate, engage and direct fire on the enemy without a radio. I went into the
forest after them. I caught up to them about 60 meters into the forest.
We were just about to return to the perimeter when it started raining hand grenades.
Jackson was killed immediately and the rest of us were wounded.
Posted February 2, 2020 by Bob Hersey
Silver Star Citation
Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of
Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes
pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First
Class Darrell Asa Jackson (ASN: US-56378738), United States Army,
for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations
involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of
Vietnam: Private First Class Jackson distinguished himself on 14
October 1966 while serving as the rear security for a twelve man
patrol during a reconnaissance mission near Ben Cam. As Private
First Class Jackson's patrol was maneuvering along a jungle trail it
suddenly received intense hostile fire from an estimated Viet Cong
platoon. During the initial volley of fire over half of the patrol
members were wounded, including the patrol leader and his assistant.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation Private First Class
Jackson immediately rushed forward through intense Viet Cong fire to
a position in front of the patrol in an effort to provide covering
fire for the evacuation of his wounded comrades. With complete
disregard for his safety, Private First Class Jackson delivered
suppressive fire on the attacking Viet Cong until the stricken
soldiers were safely evacuated. As he was preparing to join the
remainder of the patrol, Private First Class Jackson was mortally
wounded by a Viet Cong grenade explosion. Through his courage he
contributed immeasurably to the safe withdrawal and evacuation of
his comrades. Private First Class Jackson's gallantry in action
against a numerically superior hostile force, was in keeping with
the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great
credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No.
6373 (November 15, 1966)
Action Date: October 14, 1966
Service: Army
Rank: Private First Class
Company:
Troop K, 3d Squadron
Regiment: 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
