Darrell Denny Easter:  

Retirement Ceremony for Sergeant Major Darrell D. E. Easter Guest Speaker: Brigadier General James C. Taylor BG Taylor's Remarks: Today, 31 January 1995, I have the honor of hosting Sergeant Major Easter's final military ceremony with the presentation of the Legion of Merit [the Nation's 3rd Highest Award for Service] and the fifth award of the Meritorious Service Medal [ as Chief Instructor, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy]. With the retirement of SGM Easter, this nation, the state of Oklahoma and the Army will see the departure of a true patriot and warrior who devoted himself selflessly in service to his country. Initial Highlights: All through Sergeant Major Easter's exceptional career he has continually demonstrated many remarkable achievements. He began his Non-commissioned Officer career as a young 17-year-old Corporal in 1965 during an initial tour of duty in Europe. After graduation from the 8th Infantry Division's Non-commissioned Officer Academy, in October 1966, [graduating at the top of his class] he was promoted to Sergeant at the age of 18. After his assignment to Vietnam in 1967, Sergeant Major Easter took over a Rifle Platoon, in active combat, as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant at the age of 19. Moreover, his illustrious career continued for another 28 years! Distinguishing Career Notes: Sergeant Major Darrell Denny Ellis Easter enlisted in the United States Army [Regular] on 10 July 1964 at Miami, Oklahoma. He underwent Basic, Advanced and Basic Unit Infantry Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. His overseas assignments include four combat tours in Vietnam [1967-1971], five tours in the Republic of Korea and two tours in Europe. In addition to these assignments SGM Easter completed 11 additional Temporary Duty Tours [TDY] in East and Southeast Asia during the period 1975-1995. Sergeant Major Easter's assignments include Infantry Squad Leader, 8th Infantry Division [Europe] 1965-1967. Infantry Platoon Sergeant and Aero-Rifle Platoon Leader, 9th Infantry Division [Vietnam] 1967-70. Infantry Field First Sergeant, 1st Cavalry Division [Vietnam] 1970-71. Infantry Platoon Sergeant and Scout Platoon Sergeant, 2nd Armored Division [Fort Hood, Texas] 1971-74. Senior TAC NCO, U.S. Army Non-commissioned Officer Academy, 8th U.S. Army [Republic of Korea] 1974-75. Infantry Heavy Mortar Platoon Sergeant [Fort Lewis, WA] 1975. Senior Drill Sergeant [Fort Leonard Wood, MO] 1975-78. Brigade Senior Fire Support Sergeant [Fort Benning, GA] 1978-79. Brigade Senior Fire Support Sergeant [Republic of Korea] 1979-80. Senior Instructor, FA Officer Advance and Basic Courses [Fort Sill, OK] 1980-81. First Sergeant [Europe] 1981-84. First Sergeant [Republic of Korea] 1984-85. First Sergeant [Fort Sill, OK] 1985-88. Department Sergeant Major, Fire Support and Combined Arms Operations Department [Fort Sill, OK] 1988-90. Operations Sergeant Major, 2nd Infantry Division [Republic of Korea] 1990-91. Chief Instructor United States Army Sergeants Major Academy [Fort Bliss, Texas] 1991-93. Senior Enlisted Active Duty Adviser [40th Infantry Division] and Senior Active Duty Adviser [California National Guard and Reserve Forces], Sacramento and Los Alimitos, CA] 1993-1995. Sergeant Major Easter has completed over five years of civilian education from the University of the State of New York (Albany), and the University of Maryland (both Asian and European Divisions). Sergeant Major Easter's military education includes graduation from 8th Infantry Divi...Expand for more