The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Charles David Hatfield, who died in the service of his country on July 25th, 1966 in Pleiku Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Accidental Self-Destruction. At the time of his death Charles was 20 years of age. He was from Milton, Florida. Charles is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 09E, Line 74.

The decorations earned by PFC Charles David Hatfield include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, 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.

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Charles is buried at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery, Chumuckla , Florida.

Charles sister Christine H. Campbell states the funeral procession from the church to the burial site was bumper-to-bumper for the whole ten miles. This was a testimonial to Charles' popularity in the community.

The following In Memory Of Charles was in the 1967 Chumuckla School Annual:

"In the summer of 1966, a brave young solider lost his life. Another young man has been killed in the line of duty while in the service of his country.

Many hearts were grieved to hear that CHARLES HATFIELD had been killed in the war in Viet Nam. The tragic news left many burdened souls and sorrowed hearts.

The memories that each of us have are happy ones. He was the type of person that spread only joy during his life. The example he left is plain enough for anyone. He died in support of what he thought was right."

Charles died when he was climbing a hill, slipped, and his rifle discharged. His grave marker shows PH apparently from earlier incident.