THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for you service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your devotion to your fellow soldiers and our country. May you rest in eternal peace.

Private First Class Larry Lee Baxter, Served with the 126th Supply and Service Company, 57th Transportation Battalion, 26th General Support Group, United States Army Support Command (DaNang), 1st Logistical Command, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR PFC BAXTER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A HEAVY VEHICLE DRIVER. CHRISTMAS IS HERE.AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. THE NEW YEAR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

I don't know you or much about you, but today I was honor to find your name on the Vietnam wall with my Father whom you were friends with. I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice you made for this great country and thank you for giving me something that in 31 years of life that has never happened before, a moment with my father for him to attempt to open up about the war and that part of his past. I will forever remember you and that moment I learned who you were.

Thanks again!

-Thankful American Son

Larry Lee Baxter
Date of birth: November 7, 1947
Date of death: May 12, 1969
Place of Birth: Missouri, Monett
Home of record: Pierce City Missouri
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Larry Lee Baxter (ASN: 67162600), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against as armed hostile force. Private First Class Baxter distinguished himself while participating in a line haul re-supply mission with the 126th Supply and Service Company in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 May 1969 the petroleum convoy in which Private Baxter was driving came under an intense attack by a heavily armed enemy force. Sustaining a direct hit by an enemy rocket propelled grenade, his trailer, loaded with five thousand gallons of petroleum, was set ablaze. Realizing the immediate danger to the remainder of the convoy if he abandoned his vehicle and left the road blocked, Private Baxter completely disregarded his own safety and continued to drive the vehicle forward into the intense small arms fire. Being struck several times by automatic weapons fire and although critically wounded, he succeeded in guiding his vehicle over a small embankment, thus clearing the roadway in order that the remainder of the convoy might pass to safety. Private Baxter sacrificed his life to assure that an avenue of survival was available to fellow soldiers. His extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Logistical Command, General Orders No. 569 (July 16, 1969)

Action Date: May 12, 1969

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Company: 126th Supply & Service Company

Battalion: 57th Transportation Battalion