Burley Darrel Kiracofe

Corporal, U.S. Army

Burley Darrel Kiracofe was born on 18 November 1947.

Burley was the son of Burley J. and Dora Kiracofe. He lived in the Portage (MI) area for 13 years and graduated in 1966 from Portage Northern High School. He had been associated with his father as a painter before entering the Army.

On 5 April 1969, Private First Class Burley Darrel Kiracofe was serving with D Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. On that day, PFC Kiracofe was killed in action when he sustained multiple fragmentation wounds. His body was recovered.

He was posthumously promoted to Corporal.

Badge and Medals

Combat Infantryman Badge
Bronze Star Medal with Combat Valor Device
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honors

The name Burley D Kiracofe is located on Panel 27W Line 019 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burley's passion was slow-pitch softball. A memorial slow-pitch softball tournament has been held in his honor since 1969, and is named the Kiracofe Memorial Tournament.

Burial

PFC Burley Darrel Kiracofe is buried at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South in Kalamazoo, MI.

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