Briefing Document: Danny Ray Scott

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Analysis of Information Regarding Danny Ray Scott, US Army Specialist 4

Introduction:

This document provides a detailed summary and analysis of the provided information regarding Danny Ray Scott, a U.S. Army soldier who served in Vietnam. The information is compiled from biographical details and military records, primarily focused on his service and death in combat.

Key Themes and Information:

Biographical Information:

Birth and Family: Danny Ray Scott was born on August 27, 1948, in Sidney, Comanche County, Texas. His parents were Katherine Louise Glasgow (born 1927, died 1996) and Daniel Emmitt Scott (born 1925, died 1981).

Early Life: He was raised in Comanche County, Texas. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1967. He attended Temple College in the fall of 1967. He was working for the Bell Telephone Company in Fort Worth before his enlistment.

Military Service: Danny Ray Scott was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968. He was trained as a Light Weapons Infantryman.

Vietnam War Service:

Deployment: Scott arrived in Vietnam on September 19, 1968. He served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

Fatal Engagement: On January 7, 1969, Scott's platoon was engaged in a firefight northeast of Tay Ninh City, approximately 8 miles from the Cambodian border. Five soldiers died in this immediate combat encounter and another died three days later from wounds sustained in the same battle. SP4 Scott was among those killed in action.

Death and Memorialization:

Date of Death: Specialist 4 Danny Ray Scott died on January 7, 1969, in Vietnam.

Recovery and Burial: His body was recovered and repatriated to the United States. He was buried in the Pendergrass Cemetery at Sidney, Comanche County, Texas on Monday, January 20, 1969.

Honors: He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.

Military Records and Citation:

Rank and Serial Number: Specialist Fourth Class Danny Ray Scott, 54388696

Unit: Company C 3rd Battalion 22nd Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Division

Silver Star Citation Details: The citation for the Silver Star specifically mentions that he was killed during the engagement on January 7, 1969. It states he died in a "gallant action."

Personal Remembrance:

"I have fond memories of Danny Ray when we would visit my grandparents in Sidney, TX." This quote, from a remembrance on The Wall of Faces webpage, demonstrates the personal impact Scott had on those who knew him in his life.

Analysis & Key Insights:

Young Soldier: Danny Ray Scott was a young man of 20 years old when he died in combat. His life, like many others of the Vietnam era, was cut short by the war.

High Cost of War: The text highlights the brutal reality of combat in Vietnam, where six soldiers lost their lives in a single engagement.

Posthumous Recognition: The awards bestowed upon Scott, particularly the Silver Star, acknowledge his bravery and sacrifice in the face of enemy fire. The fact that his awards were posthumous underscores the ultimate sacrifice he made.

Community Connection: The inclusion of the personal remembrance from a friend indicates the impact Scott had on his community and how his loss was felt at home. It demonstrates the personal dimension of a person listed in military records.

Gallantry: The language used in his Silver Star citation ("gallant action") elevates his actions during this engagement, suggesting a display of bravery in a very desperate situation.

Conclusion:

Danny Ray Scott's story is a poignant example of the lives affected by the Vietnam War. He was a young man from a small Texas town, who was called to serve his country and made the ultimate sacrifice. The information provided documents his life and service through the official military record and the personal recollections of those who knew him.