DAVID DARRIN HIGDON

Branch of Service: Army 

Rank: Private, first class

Service years: 1965-1966

Honors: Purple Heart

Glen Rock: Lived on Berkley Place 

​

 David Darrin Higdon was born in Paterson, New Jersey in 1944 and his family moved to Glen Rock in 1949. His father ran the Higdon Elevator Company in New York City. Darrin (as he was called to distinguish himself from his father) and his sister Carla went through the Glen Rock School system together.  Darrin played baseball and basketball but was known as a standout on the football field. He graduated in 1962. He was also an active member of Glen Rock Community Church.  Higdon went to Fairleigh Dickenson University, studying engineering, and worked at the Sandy Hook Marine Laboratory for a while before volunteering for the Armed Services in 1966.

​

In July of 1965, Darrin Higdon volunteered for Special Forces until he broke his leg during a training exercise.  He was then assigned to the infantry. While on a combat mission as a matching gunner, Darrin Higdon was killed by a booby trap.  Higdon was the first Glen Rock soldier to die in the Vietnam War. 

​

Born: 1944 Paterson, New Jersey

Died: 1966, Republic of South Vietnam