Darrell Melville Dunkle was born in Reno, Nevada, September 2d, 1896. He was raised in that city, educated in its schools, and was a student in the University of Nevada there. Prior to leaving the University for the army he had been a member of his class baseball and football teams, and was a popular fraternity man. Immediately after the United States declared war, he gave up his schooling to offer himself for service. His offer was accepted, and on April 18, 1917, he was sworn in at Fort McDowell, California, as a private in the 2d Battalion of the 2d Engineers. Later he was transferred to the 4th Engineers, 4th Division, and served at different times in Company E, the Train and Company A of that Regiment. On December 19th, 1917, while stationed at Vancouver Barracks, he was married to Miss Edith Duarte, of Vancouver, Washington. In May, 1918, the 4th Division landed in France. It was sent first to the British front, but after the 3d of June, was released from that region and moved to the vicinity of Meaux and Chateau-Thierry as a reserve. On July 18th, the date of the Allied counter-offensive, the 4th Division was in position south of the Oureq River with the II and VII French Corps. They attacked in the general offensive on July 18th, driving eastward into the Marne pocket.

We will quote the extracts of a letter written by Captain C. E. Chase, Company A, 4th Engineers, to D. W. Dunkle, Darrell’s father: “On July 18, last, my organization was in the advance between Soissons and Chateau-Thierry, and while passing over a hill we were under exceptionally heavy shell fire. Corporal Coleman was hit in the leg by a piece of shrapnel and your son, who was near him, stopped to bandage and assist him. While doing this a shell burst very close, killing them both instantly. They were inseparable friends, slept together and chummed together. This all happened near Chevillon, France, on the morning of July 18, 1918.”Lt. R. C. Knight who was wounded states that your son saved his life. I am unable to give you the details as to this as Lt. Knight has been in the hospital ever since and I have not seen him. . . Your son was courageous and a soldier of the finest type, and his devotion to duty at all times was marked, his congenial spirit and good nature was a constant good example to the other men of the company, all of whom were his friends. I assure you that he was a credit to the service and a great loss to his Country. In letters written by Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. Wheeler, 4th Engineers, that officer states: “He died a brave death on the battlefield, the glory of which you may cherish with keen memory . . . It is the army of such men who so loyally serve their comrades and their country that will bring this great war to a successful close and give peace and happiness to all the world. . . . His act was one of supreme unselfishness in a moment of intense strain. . . . He was a splendid soldier, loyal and efficient in the performance of his duty. He had many friends in this regiment and his loss is keenly felt. You may well be proud of his record to the last act of his life.. . . .”

The following is from General Orders No. 32, Headquarters 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces: “1. The Division Commander cites with pride the conduct in battle of the following named officers and soldiers: “Darrell M. Dunkle (568162) (deceased) Private, 1cl., Co. A, 4th Engineers, Chevillion, France, July 18th. Displaying great courage and with utter disregard for personal safety, Private 1cl. Dunkle went to the aid of a wounded comrade and remained with him under intense artillery fire. Private Dunkle was killed while accomplishing this act.

“By Command of Major General Hersey, C. A. Bach, Chief of Staff.” Darrell Dunkle was the son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Dunkle, of Reno, Nevada. His father is County Treasurer of Washoe County. Mrs. Edith Dunkle, the soldier’s widow, resides at 206 E. 9th Street, Vancouver, Washington. The former service men of Washoe County have honored the memory of their fallen comrade by giving his name to their post of the American Legion. The name of Darrell Dunkle will forever endure in the hearts of Nevadans and all other fellow countrymen.