Col. Larry Dewey Parsons
July 14, 1944 - March 06, 2020
Dana Point CA
- Share:
Col. Larry Dewey Parsons
July 14, 1944 - March 06, 2020
Dana Point CA
Obituary
Col. Larry Dewey Parsons lives in Dana Point CA, passed away at the age of 75.
Born on July 14, 1944 and passed away on March 06, 2020.
5 responses to Col. Larry Dewey Parsons
Georgia Luckett Champion says:
April 8, 2020
GeI knew Larry many years ago when he, and others, were training to become helicopter pilots. I remember when we thought he was dead and have letters from his mother about it.I am very saddened to read this.
Sgt John O'Bryon says:
July 18, 2020
Knew Larry as Captain Parsons in Mag 16 in Santa Ana in early 1970’s after we were home from Vietnam. Remember him telling me the story of his shoot down and escape and evasion. He showed me the severe damage to his arm from the fire. I think he told me he was from Bellefonte Pa as I am from DuBois nearby. Flew with him across the desert T.A.D to Fallon NV. What a great Marine and brave pilot. I am proud to have known this hero and send my sincere condolences to his family and friends. God bless. Obie
Don Bergin, LTC (Ret), Army says:
September 28, 2020
I was very saddened to learn of Larry’s passing. We have lost a true American hero. He was a great pilot and an effective leader, one who led by example.
A handsome fellow with a James Cagney-like appearance, Larry was a model Marine. I was fortunate to have met Larry in 1968 when we were both young, wild, poker players and student pilots at Fort Wolters for helicopter training.
In 1970, Larry’s Huey was shot down while flying a mission over hostile territory in Southeast Asia. Because he was a Marine and there were no signs of survivors and a post-crash fire, Larry was quickly declared dead per Marine policy.
In fact, Larry was very much alive. Severely injured, he was the only survivor and evaded enemy forces day and night. During the day, he hid in heavy foliage while nearby enemy forces conducted target practice. At night, Larry crawled to get water from a stream. Part of Larry’s survival technique was to allow maggots to clean his burn wounds and eat the dead flesh from his arm, an indication of just how tough of a Marine Larry was.
After approximately 10 days, Larry used his map case to signal a passing U.S. helicopter of his presence, ultimately leading to his rescue.
Meanwhile, Larry’s Mother had been informed of her sons’s tragic combat death and, on the day she was due to receive her insurance payment from the U.S. government, she was informed that he was, in fact, alive. Larry had come back from the dead.
Larry went on to have a successful career as a Marine Corps officer and retired as a decorated colonel.
We always referred to Larry as my good friend who came back from the dead. Now that Larry has officially passed on, I extend my sincere condolences to his daughter, family and friends. He will be missed, but his story lives on.
Michael Frank says:
November 21, 2020
Carried himself ramrod straight during those college years. Confident. Unpretentious. True personification of brotherhood. The best of men. Mike Frank, Chi Phi.
John Ringhoffer says:
December 25, 2020
A good friend of my brother George (Jeff) Ringhoffer. A good man.