CTF-116
RIVRON 59 / RIVDIV 593
BOAT CAPTAIN
PBR-841Darrell Lee Tucker was born April 29, 1947 in Spokane, WA. He grew up in the Washington/Idaho area calling Connell home when he enlisted in the United States Navy on October 6, 1965. After basic training in San Diego, he was assigned to USS England for his first tour of duty. He was sent to RD School from there and then reported to USS Constellation (CVA-64).

Tucker volunteered for Vietnam while on the Constellation and had to extend in the Navy for the orders. He completed NIOTC and then reported to RIVDIV 593 in early May of 1969 at Nha Be. He completed 17 combat patrols in the remaining days of May and was assigned as boat captain of PBR-841 after only a short time in the division because of his leadership ability and cool nature under fire.

On July 6, 1969 Tucker was part of a two-boat patrol working in the Rung Sat Zone when they came under heavy enemy rocket and automatic weapons fire. Petty Office Tucker was mortally wounded when a rocket struck the port side of the coxswains flat where he was standing to operate the boat.

Darrell was a natural leader and a good man to have in a firefight. Although in the division only a short time, Petty Office Tucker had made many lasting friends as can only be done in combat. The Iron Butterfly lost a friend and a shipmate on July 6, 1969. He will always be remembered. Darrell's father Clarence and younger brother Tim are in touch with members of the Iron Butterfly.

Tucker, Darrell Lee, RD2