The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Daniel Lee Fields, who died in the service of his country on July 3rd, 1966 in Pleiku Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Daniel was 19 years of age. He was from Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Daniel is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 08E, Line 124.
The decorations earned by PFC Daniel Lee Fields include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
KIA Daniel L Fields News Story and Obituary taken from the Denver Post July 1966
News Story July 7 page 2 (with photo)
Viet Barrage Kills
Colorado Soldier
A Wheat Ridge soldier, Army Pfc. Daniel L. Fields, 20, son of Mrs. Helen M. Fields, 4435 Carr St. was killed in action Sunday while fighting near the Cambodian border in Viet Nam.
Born in Colorado Springs on Jan. 29, 1946, he moved to Wheat Ridge in 1956 after the death of his father, Clarence. He attended Wheat Ridge High School and enlisted in the Army in February 1965.
After Basic Training and personnel administration school at Ft. Polk, La., Fields was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. He landed in Viet Nam with the Third Brigade on Dec. 29, 1965.
PURPLE HEART
On April 18 he was wounded and received a Purple Heart but returned to action in the Ia Drang Valley where he died in a mortar barrage last Sunday. He had previously written home that his unit had engaged Chinese troops.
The body is being returned to Wheat Ridge for burial and services are pending at the Chapel of the Angels.
Besides his mother, Fields is survived by a sister, Ann, also of Wheat Ridge.
Obituary July 10 page 42
Fields
PFC Daniel L. Fields, 4435 Carr St. at Viet Nam, son of Helen M. Fields, Wheat Ridge. Brother of Ann Fields, Wheat Ridge, grandson of Artie M. Gearhart, Wheat Ridge, nephew of Edgar M. Gearhart, Wheat Ridge, Robert T. Gearhart, Wheat Ridge, Harold Fields, Colorado Springs, Colo., Percy Fields, Brighton, Colo., Eslie Denny and Fern Ullrich, Lancaster, Calif. Services Chapel Of The Angels, 7177 W. Colfax, Monday 3 p.m. Interment Crown Hill Cemetery, Colorado Springs papers please copy.
(His BSV Citation)
General Orders 91, Award of the Bronze Star for Heroism, 25th Division, 19 August 1966.
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Repuplic of Vietnam. On 3 July 1966, Private First Class Fields was serving as a Rifleman with the 3rd Platoon, B, 1/35th Infantry on a search and destroy mission near Duc Co. His unit was ambushed by at least a reinforced MVA company and came under heavy fire and was surrounded. Private First Class Fields returned the fire of the enemy and, although wounded, continued to hold his position in the face of repeated attacks of the enemy. Even though wounded, he moved from position to position drawing heavy fire every time he exposed himself. Out of ammunition, he moved over open ground to aid a wounded comrade and drag him to safety. While performing this valorous act, Private First Class Fields lost his life to enemy machinegun fire. This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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