Rank: Staff Sergeant
Unit: I Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 30-Nov-1937
Hometown: Illmo, Missouri
Marital status: Married to Linda L. Marshall, one son, three daughters
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 25-Mar-1955
Start of tour: 19-Apr-1970
Incident date: 26-Jan-1971
Date of casualty: 4-Feb-1971
Age at death: 33
Cause of death: Hostile, died of wounds. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire. Individual died as a result of wounds received while on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. He was admitted to a military medical facility and later expired. / EM was Track Commander (TC) on a Sheridan tank, engaged a hostile force in a firefight. Admitted to 24th Evacuation Hospital, Long Binh, on 26 Jan 1976 at 1630 hrs and later expired. Incident occurred on 26 Jan 1967 at 1300 hrs.
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam, XT 385 600
Place of interment: Lightner Cemetery, Scott City, Missouri, USA
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SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS
STAFF SERGEANT LARRY HUNTER MARSHALL
26 JANUARY 1971
I TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Staff Sergeant Marshall distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Staff Sergeant Marshall distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 January 1971 while serving as a platoon sergeant with Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date an element of Troop I was on a reconnaissance operation when Sergeant Marshall, who was leading the column, observed two enemy personnel moving toward the base of a mountain. He immediately engaged them with small arms fire. As the platoon moved into a line formation and advanced toward the area, they were met with an intense volume of hostile fire from an enemy force of unknown size. During the initial exchange of fire the platoon sustained several casualties and were forced to withdraw. Sergeant Marshall remained in position and provided covering fire as the remainder of the element withdrew to a secure position. Only then did he return to the rest of the unit. The first and second platoons then joined the third platoon and another assault was made on the enemy positions. Again they were met with a devastating hail of enemy fire. Sergeant Marshall, positioned on the left flank, engaged the enemy force with his individual weapon and placed highly effective fire on their positions. He relayed word to command that he had come under an extremely heavy volume of fire and requested the assistance of other vehicles. At this time Sergeant Marshall sustained a mortal wound. Even though mortally wounded, Sergeant Marshall made a gallant but futile attempt to get back into his vehicle and return fire. His unselfish and valorous act contributed immeasurably to saving many lives and served as an inspiration to his men. Staff Sergeant Marshall’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 651 (11 March 1971)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SERGEANT LARRY HUNTER MARSHALL
14 MARCH 1971
I TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Staff Sergeant Marshall distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 23 June 1970 while serving as a platoon sergeant with Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, the First Platoon was escorting a convoy of engineers through a rubber plantation in Cambodia. As the platoon moved through the trees, the lead vehicle detonated a mine. Sergeant Marshall immediately dismounted his vehicle and, after seeing that the crew of the lead vehicle was medically treated, began a mine sweeping operation. The column proceeded forward, traveling only a short distance when another mine was detonated. With darkness arriving, Sergeant Marshall again dismounted his vehicle to guide the convoy through the trees. At this point, a truck detonated still another mine, causing the road to be blocked. Sergeant Marshall began maneuvering the remaining vehicles around the damaged truck, knowing that at any time he could step on a mine. Not until the convoy was out of immediate danger, did Sergeant Marshall remount his vehicle. Staff Sergeant Marshall’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 693 (14 March 1971)