Danny Lance BarronCorporal4TH SQUAD, 1ST PLT, A CO, 1ST BN, 50TH INF RGT, 173 ABN BDE Army of the United States 21 July 1945 - 05 August 1969 Carbon Hill, Alabama Panel 20W Line 096 |
 
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The database page for Danny Lance Barron
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Danny was a little older then the rest of us, he was a soft-spoken, humble man with an easy smile. He drove and maintained fourth squad's track when we weren't making heliborne assaults. We all depended on him for a lot of things. When things got tough his quiet resolve instilled confidence in all of us. He also must surely hold the record for the fastest time down the Mang Yang Pass in an M-113. For this amazing feat he affectionately became known as the "Red Barron". Danny was a pretty typical draftee soldier, he had a lot of heart and a lot to give. He left a wife and son behind at age twenty four. He was killed in northern Binh Dinh Province along the coast. He will never be forgotten by the men who served with him.
John Smerdon |
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Dan was as fine a citizen soldier as this nation has ever produced. I can't remember him ever complaining, although it is every infantryman's right to do. Most of the "guys" in 1st Platoon had cool cars at home, or were planning to when they got back to the World. We all fancied ourselves as "hot rod" mechanics. When Dan Barron arrived, there was no doubt who the best mechanic in 1st Plt was. He was a "natural" as 4th squads driver/mechanic. He knew where to drive, and more imporantly, where not to drive his APC; how to act and react in combat; and how to maintain the proper tension on the APC's drive wheels so you didn't throw a track. All in a day's work. All our drivers were volunteers. It was a serious and dangerous job. Dan was the best. In May '69 1st Plt was conducting an amphibious assault up the Song Kim Son River in Bong Son when one of the other squads sank their track. We dragged it out of the river and towed it back to our LZ. Dan was the only guy who knew anything about diesel engines and worked on it all day trying to get the water out of track's engine and getting it started. Our LT was sweating bullets, and wondering if he was going to be sent to Leavenworth for destroying government property. Late that afternoon the engine started, and there was a roar of cheers as 25 guys hooted and applauded. I can still see Lt. Parsley, covered in smiles, hugging Dan, covered in grease.
From his Platoon Sergeant, |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend and comrade-in-arms, John Smerdon 19251 East Hwy 86, Neosho, Misssouri 64850 jsmer@joplin.com 6 Aug 2005 |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/09/2005