Veteran of the Month – Darrell Stark

Place of Birth: Wilson, Oklahoma

Year of Birth: 1923

Military Branch of Service: Army

Enlisted, Commissioned, or Drafted: Enlisted

Service Dates: 3/5/1941 – 10/5/1945

Highest Rank: Corporal

Military Job: Heavy weapons carrier – M Company

Duties: Supplied materials for 30 caliber machine gun

Unit, Division, Battalion, Group, Ship, etc.: 31st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Division, 4th Battalion

War, Operation, or Conflict served in: World War II

Locations of Service: Philippines

Battles/Campaigns: Defense of Bataan Peninsula

Decorations: Purple Heart, American Defense Service Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Distinquished Unit Badge with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Asiatic Pacific Medal with One bronze Service Star

Combat or service-related injuries: loss of hearing right ear, shrapnel wounds wounds left side in rib

POW: yes

Military Schools/Training: Boot camp

Name of Post: Cortel Dispania, Manila, Philippine Islands

Family info: Spouse Judy is deceased, three children: Darrell, Darlene, Judy

Community activities: Speaking to school students and veterans organizations, coached little league

Occupation after military service: Jail Warden, Department of Corrections, reaching the rank of Captain

Volunteer work: speaks at schools and veterans organizations

Bio/Narrative/memorable events: Born and raised in Oklahoma and various other places, by two loving parents, with two sisters and four brothers (one sister was born while Darrell was a POW)