FRED E. DARLING

DARLING FRED E. DARLING Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army (Ret.) Peacefully passed away on December 21, 2014, at his home in Fairfax, VA with his loving wife of over 60 years at his side. He was 90 years old. Fred was born January 18, 1924 in Athens, NY the fourth son of 10 boys of Otis Darling and Clara Andrews Darling. Enlisting in the Army in 1940, Fred served his country with distinction for 33 years. Following his enlistment he was deployed overseas as an infantry antitank gunner and served in the Marshalls, Gilberts, and Mariannas Island battles and was redeployed from the New Hebrides after almost three years of Pacific campaigns. A distinguished career followed and CSM Darling was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility serving in assignments throughout the world. He served as First Sergeant in the 35th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Division in Hawaii, First Sergeant in the 3rd Infantry (the "Old Guard") at Fort Myer, VA, Division Sergeant Major of the 7th Infantry Division in Korea, Sergeant Major of the 22nd Field Army Support Command in Fort Lee, VA, and Brigade Sergeant Major of the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. While serving with the Old Guard at Fort Myer, CSM Darling was the sergeant major of the presidential escort for the Inaugural Parade for President John F. Kennedy and later when appointed sergeant major of Fort Myer was involved in the burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery for President Kennedy. Based on his superlative service and performance, CSM Darling was in the group of the first 187 of 5,500 sergeants major to be selected for the new rank of "Command Sergeant Major" in 1968. It was with this distinction that he served as the Division Sergeant Major of the Americal Division in Vietnam, Post Command Sergeant Major of Fort Monroe, VA and as the first Command Sergeant Major of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Recommended for "Command Sergeant Major of the Army" three times between 1966 and 1973, CSM Darling was a finalist in each of the selection processes. Following his retirement in 1974, CSM Darling worked for the United States Senate, Sergeant at Arms Office as the Senate State Office Liaison. In 2013, surrounded by family and friends, CSM Darling received the National Infantry Association's Primicerius award of the Order of St. Maurice for exemplary service as an infantryman. Fred is survived by his dear wife, Norma Hamm Darling; daughters, Kim Darling Gates and Kyle Ruth Maday and her husband, Roy; his grandchildren, Kristopher Maday (Raena), Alexis Packard (John), Lauren Gates, and Lindsey Groark (Brian); and great-grandchildren, Charles, Isabella, Aubrey, Summer, Tanner and Jackson; his brothers, Bob, Phil, Dan, Billy, Ralph, Marty, and Ernie and a 40-year brotherhood with his dear friends, CSM Frank Mouri (US Army Retired) and former Academy Sergeant Major of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Mr. Raymond P. Huggins, MBE, MSM, CdeR. He was loved and adored by his entire family. Fred will be buried with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery in the Spring. More information on his life and details on the arrangements can be found at: www.dignitymemorial.com/demaine- funeral-home-springfield. funeral-home-springfield.