Thomas Duane Darling
Specialist Four
A CO, 3RD BN, 39TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Martin, Tennessee
February 14, 1947 to March 20, 1967
THOMAS D DARLING is on the Wall at Panel 16E, Line 120

usarv.gif
9infdiv.gif
39thinfrgt.gif
cib.gif
 
phndvsvc.gif
 

 

In the fall of 1963, a very UNself-assured freshman girl was assigned a study hall seat on the table with the senior co-captain of the football team of Martin High School. Tommy Duane Darling was a gentle giant with beautiful green eyes, a shy smile and a heart of gold. The compassion with which he handled my huge crush speaks volumes about the person that he was - he made me feel very special. In the spring of 1967 when I heard that Tommy had given his life for our country, it felt like a candle had been snuffed out on the other side of the world.

Every year, I put a yellow rose for friendship on his grave on his Valentine's Day birthday. At the traveling replica of the wall, along with his rose, I left a note promising I haven't forgotten. And my adult children will never forget this hero who was gone before they were born. I was so blessed by the "chance" study hall seat assignment that gave me the opportunity to know this wonderful person and hero.

Nancy Brooks Maynard,
Martin High School
Class of '68




 
A memorial from his Friend,
Nancy Brooks Maynard
3677 Palmersville Hwy 89, Dresden, Tn 38225
consideriris@yahoo.com 
30 Jun 2001


Contact Us © Copyright 1997-2019 www.VirtualWall.org, Ltd ®(TM) Last update 08/15/2019.