Darrell Gwynn Houston, the son of Clarence and Isabell West Houston, was born and raised in Dyersburg, TN, a cotton mill town on the Mississippi River. During his childhood, he made many lifelong friends and often told many great stories of their experiences growing up in this tight-knit community, recollections that were tightly bound in him. All who knew him found he was a fearless and caring young man of immensely strong will and integrity. These character traits, as well as his love for his friends and family, personified his life.
Darrell joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in high school. Following graduation, he attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. He worked his way to the USMA Preparatory School and then reported to West Point. During his four years, he played Army football, competed in rifle marksmanship, tangled in a fun-loving way with his tactical officers and professors, served as his company’s Honor Representative, and made many more lifelong friends among his classmates. Darrell met his wife of 51 years, Patricia Truex, while in prep school, dated her all through his four years as a cadet, and married her on graduation day. Again, his experiences and recollections of these times were extremely important to him and had a profound impact on him throughout his life. He loved his classmates and his wife.
Upon commissioning as an Infantry officer and after completing Ranger and Airborne training, Darrell served in the 101st Airborne Division as rifle company commander during the Cuban Missile Crisis, then transferred to the newly formed 11th Air Assault Division, helping to develop innovative air assault doctrine. He then served with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam as a commander, C Company, 1st Battalion 12th Cavalry. He led his soldiers during several combat operations, including the Battle of Hoa Hoi, during which his company as the main attack defeated two determined NVA battalions. In the Battle of the 506th Valley, he was severely wounded during the initial air assault, but over the next 24 hours and despite his wounds he led his company and other elements of the battalion in a hard and successful fight, defeating two Vietcong battalions.
Following his recuperation, Darrell returned to Vietnam serving as battalion operations officer, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Again, while leading soldiers in combat at their forward operating base at LZ North English, he was gravely wounded during a Vietcong mortar attack, surviving solely because of his strong will to live.
In addition to two Purple Hearts for wounds received during his two combat tours, he was awarded two Silver Stars and a Bronze Star with “V” device for gallantry in action. A humble Airborne trooper, Darrell never spoke about his personal combat experiences, but he did speak of how much he loved the soldiers with whom he served and would always recall stories of their heroism.
Darrell served 27 years in the Army. In addition to his combat experiences, he earned his MBA and Ph.D. from Syracuse University, taught leadership at West Point, twice served as battalion commander, served on the Army Staff, served as DJ3 I Corps Group in Korea, and graduated from the Army War College. He returned to USMA serving as deputy chief of staff for operations and security. It was at the end of this tour at West Point, a historic place he loved, that he retired as a colonel from the Army in 1984. His loving wife, Patricia, was at his side as she had been throughout the many triumphs and challenges of their Army life together.
Darrell worked for another 10 years as a vice president for Key Bank while living in the Albany, NY area. There he enjoyed being a member of the Rotary Club and taking part in West Point Society activities. Following retirement from Key Bank, he and Patricia loved going to Army baseball and football games to watch his youngest son play, and they made many trips visiting their grandchildren and friends.
Darrell’s service to his country inspired his three sons to graduate from West Point and all served in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His daughter aspired to serve with the Department of Defense Education Activity with assignments in Japan and Washington, DC. His grandson is in the USMA Class of 2020. Darrell’s devotion to family has made their families strong and enduring.
Darrell’s last challenge was against Agent Orange-induced cancer, and he fought this fight harder than anyone could have imagined, winning two additional years of high ground. He was true to his strong-willed and fearless character, demonstrating that life is not a foot race, but a marathon that must be run with integrity, good humor, and care for those around you. We are fortunate to have had him as a husband, father, classmate, and fellow soldier. We thank God for giving him the will to be there for us during times of great challenge. We’ll always remember Darrell standing tall and looking sharp with great big warm smile.
In his class 50 Year Reunion book Darrell said, “The two most important areas of my life were serving with troops in combat and my family. I was privileged to serve with some of the best trained, most professional and dedicated troops, in the best Army in the world. I am always hopeful for the future of our country when I reflect on how these young men answered their country’s call to duty and served with distinction. During Vietnam, they gave us an Army far better than many can comprehend.”