Donald Blue Scott was born on July 4, 1949. His home of record is Harrison, NJ. His parents gave him the middle name “Blue” to honor a Scottish tradition of naming a son with his maternal grandmother’s maiden name. Because he had red hair and freckles, his friends called him “Red”. Donald had some wildness in his nature as a young man. His younger brother, Russell, remembers Donald as a “handful” for his parents when he was growing up. Donald’s parents would take him for a long visit to his grandma’s house in Clifton, NJ. Grandmother, Janet Blue Murdock, had a way with Donald and everything sort of worked out after a stay at her house.
Donald was a 1967 graduate of Harrison High School and enlisted in the US Marine Corps. When he returned home after basic training, his family welcomed a different “Red”. He walked tall and answered “Sir” or “Ma’am”. He knew he was going to Vietnam and accepted it. He returned to his unit and received his orders. Before leaving for overseas, he was notified that his cousin, Army Lt. Robert Turnbull from Andover, NJ, had been killed in action on February 7, 1968. Red arrived in Vietnam on March 26, 1968, his cousin’s birthday. He attained the rank of Lance Corporal (LCPL).
On August 2, 1968, Lance Corporal Donald Blue Scott, serving with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, was killed in action during an artillery barrage of his position. He was 19 years old.
He left behind his parents, 2 brothers, a sister and his grandparents. To honor his memory, Mrs. Janet Murdock, requested that her grandson’s name be inscribed on the Clifton War Monument when it was dedicated in 1993. Her request was granted without question.
Sources: The Viet Nam Remembrance Committee & Clifton War Veterans Monument Committee and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
