THEY SERVED IN SILENCE

The Story of a Cryptologic Hero

Captain James D. Stallings

Field commanders in Vietnam continue to say that [signals 

intelligence] is the backbone of their intelligence effort. They 

can’t live or fight without it. I want to stress to everyone ... just how 

important this effort is. ... I can’t think of anything more important 

because they are just blind over there without this effort.”

 BRUCE PALMER JR

 General, U.S. Army

Captain James D. Stallings was a son of the Volunteer State of Tennessee. He was born on August 31, 1932, 

in the town of Carthage in Smith County, Tennessee. Named for Daniel Smith, a hero of the American 

Revolution, Smith County was also the birthplace of former U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull and former 

Vice President Albert Gore.

Known as “Stagger,” Don graduated from Carthage High School before enrolling at the Tennessee 

Polytechnic Institute, where he studied engineering and joined the ROTC program. After graduation and 

commissioning in 1954, Don was ordered to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, to beginning his military career.

Over the next decade, Don dedicated himself to becoming an experienced and effective electronic 

warfare cryptologic officer. In addition, during this time he met and married the love of his life, 

Miss Ann Parkinson 

Don’s hard work resulted in his being named the commanding officer of the 337th RR/ASA Company. 

Stood up in the early 1950s, the 337th was one of many Army Security Agency organizations under the 

cover designation “radio research.” Its mission was to collect critical enemy communications.

Since the early 1960s when America first entered Vietnam, the work of units such as the 337th had helped 

U.S. forces gain foreknowledge of enemy plans and intentions. Oftentimes, due to this critical information, 

enemy plans were thwarted, battles were won, and lives were saved. 

In the early spring of 1966, Don and his unit deployed to Vietnam in support of the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry 

Division. During his time in-country Don was committed not only to the unit’s critical mission, but also to 

making the world a better place. A fellow soldier recalled a time where Don visited a group of orphans 

who he and his men were sponsoring and supporting. During the visit he took some time to sit down 

with them to watch Laurel and Hardy movies the unit had provided. Despite their not 

understanding one word of the dialogue, the children laughed uproariously and Don 

laughed right along with them. 

On September 25, 1966, Don left the company area with several other soldiers to visit 

and inspect several forward-deployed PRD-1 intercept sites. As they neared the village of 
MP 233610

Bien Hoa, their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine and came under enemy 

fire. Despite heroic efforts by his men to save him, Don was mortally 

wounded in the attack.

In 1986 a fellow comrade in arms left a handwritten letter at the 

Vietnam Memorial to honor Don. It read in part, “I place this wreath 

in memory of my commanding officer, Capt. James Stallings, who 20 

years ago today at 1245 hours on Highway 15 South Vietnam made 

the supreme sacrifice. I promise you this, that I will never give up the 

struggle, never let your memory or sacrifice be forgotten, and if God wills it, I will see you all again, in a 

place free from human frailty and corruption.”

During his days at Carthage High School, Don had no idea what his future held, but if one glances at his 

yearbook photo they will notice the inscription “whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well.” Captain 

James D. Stallings not only aspired to that standard but exceeded in countless meaningful ways for his 

family, his fellow soldiers, and his nation.