Obituary of Darrell Mayfield

Col. Darrell W. Mayfield, USAF (retired), 89, formerly of Clearwater, FL died Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at the home of his step daughter in Wake Forest, NC.

Darrell was born in Farmington, Utah on August 20, 1921. He and his wife Ruth moved to Clearwater, FL in 1972 and he retired from the United States Air Force at Macdill Air Force Base in 1973. He served as a Command Pilot and a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Col. Mayfield was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in April 1943. He served as a heavy bomber pilot in the European Theater during WW II. He was shot down on his 50th bombing mission over Germany and was taken prisoner and held POW for 17 months in Stalag Luft One until he was liberated by the Russian Army and returned to U.S. control. He served during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War where he was Base Commander at Bin Thui Air Base in Vietnam. He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, WW II Victory Medal, Air Defense Medal, two Vietnamese Medals and POW Medal. He served on active duty for 31 years. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Retired Officers Association, The Disabled Veterans of America and a 55 year member of the Hillsborough Masons.

Darrell is survived by his adopted son, Roger Lee Mayfield of Largo, FL, one step son, John Sensibaugh of Grand Prairie, TX, a step daughter, Deborah Flynn of Wake Forest, NC, 8 grand children: Stephanie Smith, Teresa Hamilton, Andrew Sensibaugh, Michael Sensibaugh, Gregory Sensibaugh, Jeffrey Sensibaugh, Brian Shubargo and Bradley Shubargo, 4 great grandchildren: Anna Smith, Bailey Hamilton, Brooke Hamilton, Haley Thill and a brother, Jim Mayfield of Kaysville, UT.

Funeral Service will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, September 29, 2011 in the Fort Meyer Chapel with interment following at Arlington National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or at www.dav.org

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27603. Condolences may be made at www.montlawn.com