#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Larry B. Earl

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Larry B. Earl, who served as a mine sweeper during the Vietnam War, receiving a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.

The Army drafted Larry Earl in June 1967. He completed basic training and advanced infantry training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After completing training, Earl received deployment orders for Vietnam and landed in Saigon Dec. 19, 1967.

Earl served with 3^rd Battalion, 5^th Cavalry Regiment, 9^th Infantry Division at Bearcat Base, 30 miles south of Saigon.

Earl’s primary job was to sweep the roads at night to deter the enemy from laying mines. In addition, he performed sweeps of fields and plantations. Earl and his company periodically engaged the enemy, receiving mortar fire and ambushes.

On March 30, 1969, while driving a tracked vehicle, the enemy attacked Earl and his fellow soldiers. A rocket propelled grenade struck Earl’s vehicle, causing him to receive shrapnel wounds across his body. Earl jumped out and attempted to rescue his fellow crewmen. However, when he tried to open the door, his vehicle exploded, throwing him to the ground. After hitting the ground, Earl was struck in the mouth by enemy fire.

Following his rescue, Earl received medical treatment in Japan. After recovering, Earl went back to Vietnam to serve out the rest of his tour. Due to his extensive injuries, Earl was unable to serve in combat and became a clerk for the 9^th Infantry Division.

The Army discharged Earl as a sergeant. For actions during his service, Earl received a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart, along with several other commendations.

After returning home, Earl earned a degree in marketing from Eastern Michigan University and began a career selling structural steels and commercial steel products in Dayton, Ohio.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Editor: Ashley Levi

Fact checker: Jordan Gossett

Graphic artist: Austin Waters