First Name: Larry
Last Name: Dickerson
Middle Initial: A
Date of Birth: 1943
Sex: Male
Martial Status: Married
Number of Children: 1
Home Town: Smyrna, DE
Education Completed: Not Sure
Other Occupations:
Branch of Service: Marines
Highest Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Serial Number: N/A
Platoon: N/A
Age at Start of Service: Over 21
Years of Service: 20 plus
Combat Veteran: Yes
Time in Combat: Not Sure
Place of Combat: Vietnam
Awards:
Date of Suicide: 09/1998
Suicide Method: gunshot to head
Veteran’s Story: In 1997, Larry found all but three surviving members of our platoon. We held a reunion that Memorial Day weekend in Rossburg, Ohio, home of Doug Dickey, who was a Medal of Honor recipient from our platoon. It was held there for the convenience of Dickey’s parents. A reunion has been held every year since in a different part of the country. Larry never confided in any of us, but did have Nam vets in Delaware who he talked to. His wife tried to get him some help, but he wouldn’t go. She also thought she had removed all the guns from the house. Larry had recently retired from his job as a school principal that just seemed to make his depression worse because he had more time on his hands to think. I think he felt responsible for every man that died because he gave the orders. He never seemed to accept the fact that he was just doing what he had to do. In 26 years in the military, he was the best 2nd lieutenant I ever worked with. He was a great guy, and we’ll all miss him.
Submitted By: Charlie Runnels
Relationship to Veteran: Comrade
