Nine Mile Falls, WA — Earl Darrow, a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, shared his memories and reflections on his military service. Darrow’s journey through history began with his arrival in Europe just after D-Day, advancing through Nazi Germany under General George Patton.
Darrow, who served in the U.S. Army Infantry, was initially discharged with the assurance that he would not be sent overseas again.
“I was told you’re never have to go overseas again. You’re never have to leave your family,” he said.
However, when the Korean War erupted, Darrow was called back into service to lead a platoon, despite having already completed a full tour.
Reflecting on his time as a leader, Darrow described the weight of responsibility.
“Not only that, they made me a platoon sergeant, in charge of about 45 men. That was worse. I would rather have been a grunt, somebody who just carried a rifle,” he said. “Then you have no authority, but once you’re a platoon sergeant, you’ve got a lot of authority. It was tough.”
Darrow’s experiences in Korea were marked by the harsh realities of combat.
“I wasn’t ready to go overseas again. In fact, to be honest, I was really scared because I knew what it was like to have guys killed right alongside of you,” he recalled. “I knew what it was — people getting wounded and how they screamed. I knew all about it, and I didn’t want to do it again.”
Despite the passage of time, Darrow still thinks about the men he served with and those he lost touch with.
“I’ve often thought of some of my real good buddies who got wounded in Korea. I’ve often wished I had their address — about ten of them,” he said. “But when I got out, I didn’t want anything to do with it. I wanted to forget the whole thing.”
When asked about the personal meaning of Memorial Day, Darrow candidly shared:
“I don’t know. I just try not to talk about it.”
Earl Darrow’s reflections offer a poignant glimpse into the sacrifices and memories of those who have served.
