Worthey, David Allen

1947 - 1968  (20 years)

• Name	Worthey, David Allen
  		David Allen Worthey (1947-1968)
  Birth	12 Jul 1947  [1]
  Gender	Male
  Reference Number	WORT.D003
  _FGRAVE	21949926
  Military Service	Viet Nam War, Corporal, Company D, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army  [1, 2]
  	CPL - E4 - Army - Selective Service 11th Light Infantry Brigade Length of service 0 years His tour began on Apr 11, 1968 Casualty was on May 13, 1968 In KONTUM, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY DROWNED, SUFFOCATED David served as the "tunnel rat" for his platoon. While on patrol, his platoon discovered an enemy tunnel. After tossing a couple white phosphorous grenades down the tunnel, David was ordered by his platoon leader to go into the tunnel in search of the enemy. As a result, David died of asphyxiation due to a lack of oxygen in the tunnel. David is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 60e, Line 7. Source: HonorStates.org
  		United States of America Flag, 50 Stars (1960 - Present) This is the current flag of the United States. This flag became the official United States flag in 1960 when a star was added for the State of Hawaii. It replaced the short-lived 49-star flag (July 4, 1959 - July 3, 1960) honoring the State of Alaska. An Executive Order by President Eisenhower provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine…
  		United States Army Prior to the establishment of the "Department of the Army Emblem", there was no official display item to identify the Army. The Seal had traditionally been used to authenticate documents only and was not authorized for public display. In recognizing the need to provide a display item, the Secretary of the Army approved the emblem design as the…
  		United States Army
  		Corporal (abbreviated as CPL) (paygrade E-4), United States Army (Sep 1959-2019) The base of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) ranks, CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units. Like SGTs, they are responsible for individual training, personal appearance and cleanliness of Soldiers.
  		United States Army Enlisted Rank Insignia
  		Military Service Ribbons, Worthey, David Allen (1947-1968) Contributed by Carl Wayne Gray
  		Purple Heart Medal, United States Military
  		Purple Heart Medal, United States Military
  		Vietnam Service Medal, United States Armed Forces
  		Vietnam Service Medal, United States Armed Forces
  		Vietnam War (1955-1975)
  		23rd Infantry Division (Americal), United States Army
  		23rd Infantry Division ("Americal"), United States Army
  		11th Light Infantry Brigade, United States Army
  		11th Infantry Brigade, United States Army
  		The Vietnam Veterans Memorial - The Wall
  Death	13 May 1968	Kontum Province, Viet Nam   [1]
  	Cause: Asphyxiated in a Viet Cong Tunnel
  Burial	Elmwood Cemetery, Flora, Clay County, Illinois   [1]
  		Headstone, Worthey, David Allen
  		Burial Flag, United States Military Veterans
  Person ID	I40781	Carl Wayne Gray Research
  Last Modified	25 Oct 2023

  
  

  Father	Worthey, Donald H.,   b. 4 Oct 1924   d. 2 Oct 1982 (Age 57 years)
  Mother	Forseman, Evelyn Marie,   b. 10 Sep 1924, Carlyle, Clinton County, Illinois d. 18 Dec 1997, Vincennes Township, Knox County, Indiana (Age 73 years)
  Family ID	F4425	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  David was the first casualty of the Viet Nam War from Clay County, Illinois. Worthey Street in Flora, Illinois is named after him. David's name is listed on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. on Panel 60E, Line 7

  
  

• Sources

  [S12929] https://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Worthey, David Allen, (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21949926/david-allen-worthey), none. (Reliability: 2). [S12930] http://thewall-usa.com, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 60E, Line 7, (http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=57459) (Reliability: 2).