03 Nov 2005 Larry was born in El Paso, Texas and was raised in Reeves County, Texas, first in the community of Pecos, then the small agriculture communities of Verhalen and Balmorhea, Texas. He was the youngest of three, his father was a cotton farmer and raised cattle. He graduated from Balmorhea High School in 1965, was the manager of the football team and was active in FFA, showing sheep and judging grass. He attended Howard College in Big Spring, Texas, Sul Ross State College in Alpine, Texas and at the time of his entrance into the Army, he was in his senior year at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) in Denton, Texas. His sister, Barbara Conger wrote, "Larry loved all animals. We always had dogs, once we had raccoon caught by our grandfather, and a very special sheep that was even allowed into the house. We always had horses and he loved to ride and rope. Larry worked with his father on the family farm. Larry was kind to everyone and would take up for those who had been wronged." Larry was trained at Fort Bliss and Fort Ord, California and went to Vietnam in October 1969. He was with the 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He died from gunshot wounds on January 7, 1970. For the actions that resulted in his death, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and a posthumous promotion to Corporal. He was buried with full military honors in the Evergreen Cemetery in Pecos, Texas. His parents are now buried next to him. The 1970 Balmorhea High School Class dedicated their annual to Larry. He is remembered by Reeves County and the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Midland, Texas. May his sacrifice never be forgotten. From a PBVVM representative, Billy M. Brown bmbrown@grandecom.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Six men were killed near Tam Ky on 07 January 1970, five from Delta 3/21 Infantry and one from A Troop 1/1 Cavalry: 2LT William J. Erkes, Upper Black Eddy, PA, D Company 3/21st Inf SSG Gene G. Wells, Pulaski, KY, D Company 3/21st Inf CPL Larry A. Bradley, Verhalen, TX, D Company 3/21st Inf (Silver Star) SP4 Reid C. Henningsen, Schiller Park, IL, A Troop, 1/1st Cav SP4 Frank Zydzik, Phillips, WI, D Company 3/21st Inf PFC John D. Retseck, Michigan City, IN, D Company 3/21st Inf

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