Remember...
Daniel Ferrel Tallman
1941-1965
"The soul that is within me no man can degrade."
Frederick Douglas
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Remember...Daniel Ferrel Tallman
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Daniel Ferrel Tallman was born in Rosedale, Braxton County, West Virginia on November 23, 1941. His parents were Trader Beal Tallman (1909-1971) and Thelma Agnes Ferrell Tallman (1909-1989). Daniel had six siblings: Carol Enid Tallman Kimble (1935-2018), Paul William Tallman ("Bill"; 1937-2018), Sharon Ruth Tallman Frame (1939-2003), Charlotte Tallman Allen (1933-2019), Tammy Tallman Pritt (c. 1950-?), and Connie Tallman Heintzman (1931-present). Daniel's father Trader was also in the military, serving during World War II.
Daniel grew up in Braxton County and attended Normantown High School, where he was on the basketball team. He loved to hunt and fish.
Private First Class Tallman enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964 and began his tour on October 9, 1965. His Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) was Light Weapons Infantry. Daniel was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, and he was headed for Vietnam.
Pfc. Tallman was killed in action in South Vietnam less than two months after his arrival. According to an article in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch, "He was allegedly shot down by an enemy sniper on Nov. 23, 1965 - his 25th birthday. . . . The casualty was officially recorded the following day on Nov. 24." (Luke Creasy, "Sister of Vietnam Veteran Presented with Purple Heart," 27 February 2019, updated 28 February 2019, https://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/sister-of-vietnam-veteran-presented-with-purple-heart/article_d8f636e5-5a98-5a44-92a1-89b820663036.html.) Creasy adds: "Tallman, the sharpshooting infantryman, is believed to have been the second West Virginian to die in combat." Daniel's remains were returned to the U. S., and he is buried at the Rosedale Community Cemetery, which is located on the hill by Rosedale Methodist Church.
Pfc. Tallman's name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, at Line 112, Panel 3E. He is also remembered at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston. Pfc. Tallman was awarded the Purple Heart, which was somehow lost in the shuffle of sending his personal effects home. More than 50 years later, after his sister Tammy began to make inquiries, she was awarded his medal. (Creasy.) Daniel was also eligible to receive the Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
In 2010, the West Virginia Legislature recognized Tallman's sacrifice by naming the bridge on County Rt. 9 near Rosedale in Braxton County (Bridge No. 4-9-11.22) the "PFC Daniel F. Tallman Memorial Bridge," the resolution stating, "It is fitting to honor PFC Tallman for his service to his community, his state, [and] his country giving the ultimate sacrifice."
Article prepared by Caroline Kuhn
January 2024
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.