Skip Navigation
Thomas Edgar Clifford

West Virginia
Veterans Memorial

Remember...

Darrell Scarbrough
1931-1950

"Greater love hath no man than this to lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

Darrell Scarbrough was born August 9, 1931 in Fayetteville, West Virginia, the first of the twelve children of Wesley E. and Margaret Simms Scarbrough. The family included nine boys and three girls. A sister, Marilyn Richards, notes that Darrell was a patriot from a family of patriots. Seven Scarbrough brothers served in the military. Darrell was an avid fisherman with whom brother Kenneth recalls many such expeditions, which also included their Uncle Ernest. Darrell also taught Kenneth to shoot a 22 rifle, "a skill useful for boys raised on a farm." Brother Charles received his nickname "Pug" from older brother Darrell.
Darrell Wesley Scarbrough
Darrell Wesley Scarbrough
age 7

Darrell Wesley Scarbrough
Darrell Wesley Scarbrough
In January of 1949, at the age of 17, Darrell joined the Army. It was soon discovered that he had not been truthful about his age and his parents were notified. He convinced them that he wanted to serve his country and was permitted to remain.

While serving with the 8th Cavalry Regiment of the famed 1st Cavalry Division, Darrell was wounded in action August 1, 1950 by artillery fragments. He received the Purple Heart and 2-3 weeks later retuned to duty.
Darrell Wesley Scarbrough (far left) with fellow soldiers
Darrell Wesley Scarbrough
(far left) with fellow soldiers

Remains Identification Report
Remains Identification Report
On the night of 1-2 November, 1950 the 8th Cavalry was near the Korean town of Usan when it was attacked by a larger force of Chinese soldiers. Darrell was listed among the missing in action and this remained the case for many years. In 1999 a Korean farmer found dog tags and bone fragments. In 2002 Darrell's remains were identified through DNA.

On October 5, 2006, Darrell Wesley Scarbrough was given a military funeral and buried in the family cemetery 56 years after his death.

Source: Information and photographs from Marilyn Richards and family

Honor...

West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.


Veterans Memorial Database

West Virginia Veterans Memorial

West Virginia Archives and History

West Virginia Archives and History