Hometown: Weedsport, NY
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: 92d Assault Helicopter Squadron, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion, 17th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade
Military Honors: Silver Star, Air Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Date of Sacrifice: May 24, 1971 - KIA northwest of Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam
Age: 25 
Conflict: Vietnam War, 1959-1975

Larry Richard Dewey was born on February 18, 1946, in Weedsport, north of New York’s Finger Lakes. He was a stand-out athlete for Jordan-Elbridge High School’s basketball team. After graduating in 1964, Dewey married Cindy Gorham, his high school sweetheart.

Four years later, Dewey received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He set his sights on flight school, earning his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1969.

Just three weeks after he and Cindy welcomed a son, Dewey received orders to go to Vietnam in 1970. His primary duty was to support Army logistics and resupply missions. Now Captain Dewey, he was assigned as a Unit Commander and oversaw the crews and operations of a group of helicopters with the 92d Assault Helicopter Squadron, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion.

Dewey piloted a UH-1H Iroquois “Huey” assault helicopter. For Huey pilots, “resupply” often meant landing and taking off while under attack.

On May 24, 1971, Allied troops were under attack and in desperate need of resupply, northwest of Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam. Dewey volunteered to fly in supplies while under heavy mortar attack and automatic weapons fire from every direction—not once, but twice. His courage and sacrifice earned Dewey a Silver Star Medal. The citation reads:

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 Captain (Corps of Engineers) Larry Richard Dewey (ASN: 0-86369431), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving as a Pilot with the 92d Assault Helicopter Squadron, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion, 17th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, on 24 May 1971.

Captain Dewey distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of a lift helicopter while on an emergency re-supply mission to Fire Base 5, northwest of Pleiku. Hundreds of enemy soldiers had started an offensive movement against the fire base during the early morning hours. The enemy, utilizing mortars, rockets, and heavy automatic weapons initiated an attack on the small hilltop. They were beaten back only after inflicting heavy casualties.

The Allied troops defending the small base camp were running low on critically needed supplies. Captain Dewey was notified of the urgent need for a re-supply mission and immediately volunteered to fly into the besieged base camp. Briefing his crew and taking all necessary precautions, Captain Dewey made his approach into the landing zone. Almost immediately, Captain Dewey’s aircraft came under mortar and heavy automatic weapons fire from every quadrant.

Only through fearless determination and expert flying ability was Captain Dewey able to direct his aircraft to the landing pad and off-load the urgently needed supplies. Calling upon his professional skill and knowledge, Captain Dewey departed Fire Base 5 and returned to the safety of Dak To. In the early afternoon the call for more ammunition and medical supplies was made. Captain Dewey, knowing the enemy situation and the impossible odds, again volunteered to fly the re-supply mission. Captain Dewey carefully pinpointed the known enemy positions for gunship suppression during the insertion and devised a plan of attack.

While on short final, 300 meters away and 20 feet above the ground, Captain Dewey’s aircraft suddenly exploded. Upon the explosion, the aircraft rolled to the right and struck the ground in an inverted position. In the act of completing his last mission, Captain Dewey displayed exemplary concern for his fellow soldiers and extreme professionalism. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Cpt. Larry R. Dewey was buried near his hometown in Elbridge, New York. He is honored at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington D.C., where his name is inscribed on Panel 03W, Line 53.

Sources
Artist’s rendering: Craig Du Mez, from U.S. Army photo
WSYR-TV, May 30, 2021: CNY fallen soldier honored at NASCAR Coca-Cola 600
VA News, Veteran of the Day: Army Veteran Larry Dewey
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Wall of Faces: Larry Richard Dewey
Military Times, Hall of Valor Project: Larry Richard Dewey
Burial Site: Find a Grave