Barbee, Larry Hulan, 1LT

Casualty Occurrence:  This Soldier was killed by fragmentation wounds during a hostile ambush while on a combat operation in Bing Long Province. 
 

CITATION:
 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Larry Hulon Barbee (ASN: 0-5344685), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Company B, 2d Battalion (Mechanized), 2d Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, In action on 6 June 1969 in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Lieutenant Barbee was serving as a platoon leader with his mechanized company on a battalion-minus reconnaissance in force operation west of An Loc. While proceeding through a treacherous region, the friendly element became engaged with a large North Vietnamese Bunker complex. Ignoring the enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenade fusillade, Lieutenant Barbee dismounted from his armored vehicle as he coordinated his tracks' movement on line and directed his men's suppressive fire on the insurgents. He continually maneuvered throughout the area adjusting heavy machinegun barrages on fortifications and destroying them. When he observed a casualty atop an armored personnel carrier, Lieutenant Barbee disregarded his personal safety as he braved a hail of hostile rounds and mounted the track. While attempting to evacuate the injured man, Lieutenant Barbee was mortally wounded. His selfless courage, professional leadership, and intrepid determination significantly contributed to the overwhelming defeat of the aggressors. First Lieutenant Barbee's unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War, Service: Army Battalion: 2d Battalion  (Mechanized) Division 1st  Infantry Division. GENERAL ORDERS: Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, General Orders No. 5792 (June 23, 1969).

  
Larry Hulan Barbee was born in Quanah, Texas, on October 2, 1945 to Hulan F. and Lorene (Blount) Barbee. He and his family moved to Sully County in 1951, and then to rural Hughes County in 1955. He had three sisters, Mary, Lori and Teri, and two brothers, Roger and Cary. Larry attended school in Lincoln Township in Sully County, and in 1955 began attending Harrold Public Schools. He enjoyed playing basketball and track, graduating from Harrold High School in 1963. Larry went to South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota from 1963-1964 and then attended Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas, until entering the Army in 1966.

Larry H. Barbee entered the service in September 1966 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and trained in Fort Bliss and Elpaso, Texas. He also took Officer Candidate School training in Fort Benning, Georgia in 1967, and gained a Jungle Expert certificate in 1968. 1st Lt. Larry Hulan Barbee was then sent overseas, arriving in Vietnam on August 29, 1968. He was a member of Company B, 2D Battalion, 2D Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. In one of Barbee's letters home he wrote, "When I get home I never want to go on any picnics," and was looking forward to finishing his education as an engineer at Abilene Christian University at Abilene, Texas. Two months before he was to come home, on the afternoon of June 6, 1969, 1st Lt. Larry Hulan Barbee was on a Reconaissance in Force mission near An Loc, Vietnam, when he was killed trying to save one of the members of his platoon.

His captain, Richard T. Altieri, wrote these words to Barbee's parents: On the afternoon of 6 June 1969 Bravo Company was on a Reconnaissance in Force mission near An Loc, Vietnam. While on this mission Bravo engaged an unknown size enemy force in a battle that raged on for five hours, and it was during this time that your son tried to rescue one of the members of his platoon in a very heroic action. As he reached the man your son was mortally wounded from a gunshot wound to his head. It may be of some comfort to you to know that your son did not suffer from any unnecessary pain To all of us in Company B, the death of your son has left a void in our ranks that can never be completely filled. I sincerely hope that you find some comfort in the knowledge that your son was an exemplary soldier and died in the defense of freedom and in the service of his country.

Army 1st Lt. Larry Hulan Barbee was buried at Medicine Hill Cemetery in Harold, South Dakota on June 16, 1969, with full Military honors. He received a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, an Army Commendation Medal, and a Sharp Shooter Medal. Larry H. Barbee was survived by his parents, Lorene and Hulan Barbee, his sisters, Mary, Lori, and Teri, and his brothers, Roger and Cary, all of Harrold, South Dakota. source- http://www.sdvietnamwarmemorial.com/barbeelarry.htm