Biography

Danny Vison Scurfield is a native of Cranston, Rhode Island. He was born on 18 February 1946, the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. George Scurfield. Danny was a 1963 graduate of Cranston High School West. He entered the University of Rhode Island with the class of 1967 and participated in the Army ROTC Program while a student. Danny left URI after two years and enlisted in the United States Army.

He attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and completed advanced infantry training at Fort Leonard, Missouri. Sergeant Scurfield deployed to the Republic of Vietnam on 14 February 1968 with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Infantry Brigade, 82d Airborne Division. The units of the 82d Airborne Division were alerted for immediate deployment to Southeast Asia on 12 February 1968.

The 3d Brigade and 17th Cavalry Regiment established operations in the Hue/Phu Bai area. The onslaught of North Vietnamese forces in the area presented a serious threat to the Northern provinces of South Vietnam. The combat elements of the 82d immediately deployed to Hue and engaged the enemy. The “Battle of Hue” which began on 30 January 1968 was one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the Vietnam War. Units of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), US Army and US Marine Corps units defeated 10 battalions of North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. The battle ended on 29 February 1969.

After the “Battle of Hue,” the 3d Brigade and 17th Cavalry Regiment deployed to Gia Dinh Province, a very hostile Viet Cong area of South Vietnam. Sadly, Sergeant Scurfield was killed during an ambush on 14 October 1968. Sergeant Scurfield was awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman’s Badge (Posthumously).

Sergeant Danny Vison Scurfield, United States Army, was buried with full military honors at the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Warwick, Rhode Island. A Memorial at Cranston High School West was erected for Sergeant Scurfield and five other servicemen who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. Sergeant Danny Vison Scurfield, United States Army, volunteered to serve his country during the Vietnam War and gave his life in service to the State of Rhode Island and our country. He was a true Rhode Island and American hero.