Alphonzo A. Durnell was born in 1932 and was the son of Mrs. Earl Finney of 111 South Worthington Street, West Chester. Among the survivors are three brothers, one sister, and two step-sisters.  Two of the brothers, Carl and Donald, served in the armed forces at the same time as Alphonzo.  The other brother Robert was too young at the time. The sister, Leah Durnell, and two step-sisters, Earlene and Arminta Finney, resided at home.  Alphonzo attended West Chester schools.

Private Durnell enlisted in the Army on May 12, 1950 and served in Company B, Third Armored Division. This 18-year old hero was killed in action in Korea on November 12, 1950 of wounds received in fighting at the front lines.  At the time of his death, Pvt. Durnell was serving with the 84^th Tank Battalion of the Third Armored Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Pfc. First Class Durnell’s body arrived from Korea in a flag draped casket on May 1, 1951.  Funeral services were held on May 4, 1951 from the Day Funeral Home in West Chester.  The Rev. J. C. Clark of St. Paul’s Baptist Church officiated. Casket bearers represented the Nathan Holmes Post No. 32 American Legion and Color bearers represented the Bernard F. Schlegel Post American Legion.  The interment was at the Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester.  A full military ceremony was performed at the grave, including the firing of three volleys and the playing of Taps. The Firing squad was from Company I, 111 Infantry, Pennsylvania National Guard, under the command of Sgt. Robert Bainbridge. Sergeant Boykins, representing the War Department, presented the flag which was over the casket, to the mother of the deceased.