Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Larry Richard Dewey, who served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War and posthumously received a Silver Star.
Larry Richard Dewey was born in Weedsport, New York, in February 1946. He attended Jordan-Elbridge High School, where he played basketball and was voted most athletic in the school’s yearbook. Graduating in 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Cindy.
In 1968, Dewey was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Airborne qualified, he turned his sights to flight school, earning his wings in 1969 as a helicopter pilot flying the Bell UH-1 “Huey.”
Three weeks after his son was born, Dewey departed for Vietnam in July 1970. Assigned to the 92nd Assault Helicopter Squadron of the 1st Aviation Brigade, his primary role was to support Army logistics and resupply missions. As a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander, he oversaw the crew members and operations of a group of helicopters.
On the morning of May 24, 1971, Capt. Dewey and his air crew received a plea for help over their radio. Firebase 5, supporting operations in the Kon Tum Province of Vietnam, was in desperate need of medical equipment and ammunition after nearly being overrun by North Vietnamese forces. Without hesitation, Dewey volunteered to bring the needed supplies.
Flying out of Dak To, Dewey and his crew braved enemy mortar and automatic weapons fire, successfully landing and unloading the supplies. Returning later that afternoon for a second drop, he pinpointed enemy positions for gunship suppression, aiding in the defense of Firebase 5.
Before he could land, their helicopter took a direct hit. Dewey and his door gunner, SP4 Gerald Martin Lubbehusen, were killed in action. Dewey was posthumously awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart.
Capt. Dewey is buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Elbridge, New York. His other military awards include a Bronze Star and 22 Air Medals, recognizing his faithful and courageous service.
“Larry was, he was a very ordinary guy, ordinary guy but he was extraordinarily ordinary and everything he did was extraordinary,” remembers Dewey’s wife.
We honor his service.
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Writer: Jackson Baker
Editors: Tayler Rairigh, Marisa Bunton
Graphic Designer: Jaylon Buckles
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A fellow Nam vet
I did not know Officer Dewey, but I do know the area as I was stationed and play cool camp Holloway, in 19 67 and 1968 I was with the 189th assault helicopter company and we supported sog special forces at k o n t u m Vietnam. Doctor was a very bad place always under fire. she seems like he was a very good pilot and knew what he was doing. He had to be a very good pilot in his crew members must have thought a lot of him I’m sorry he was killed in Vietnam.