Larry Vernal Claspill

Larry Vernal Claspill

Company C 1/22 Infantry

4th Infantry Division

KIA 02/05/68

SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
MOS: 11B20 Infantryman
4th Infantry Division
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jul 07, 1948
From KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Aug 16, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 05, 1968
in KONTUM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Panel 37E - - Line 33

Larry Claspill was killed in action during the Battle of Kontum City, Tet Offensive 1968,
at grid reference AR797917, approximately 3 kilometers north/northeast of Kontum airfield

Larry Claspill in Vietnam

Photo courtesy Charles "Doc" Shyab

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 Specialist Fourth Class Larry Vernal Claspill (ASN: 559****), United States Army,
for gallantry in action while conducting military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.
Specialist Fourth Class Claspill distinguished himself while serving as a Radio-Telephone Operator with Company C,
1st Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On 5 February 1968, Specialist Claspill's platoon was on
a search and destroy mission a few miles north of Kontum, when the element was suddenly taken under heavy fire
by a regimental-size force of North Vietnamese Regulars. Although enemy fire was coming from three sides,
Specialist Claspill immediately took charge of his section and quickly set up a perimeter while simultaneously
directing fire at the enemy. Through his quick actions the enemy was pushed back. Although completely unprotected
from the enemy fire, he continued to direct fire at the enemy. Realizing that a few wounded personnel were lying outside
of the perimeter, Specialist Claspill organized a five man team and deployed to recover the wounded.
Although the enemy fire increased in intensity, he courageously moved out into the open, drawing the hostile fire
while the wounded were withdrawn to safety. It was during this gallant act that Specialist Claspill was mortally wounded
by enemy fire. Specialist Fourth Class Claspill's personal bravery, determination and exemplary devotion to duty
are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself,
his unit and the United States Army.

Silver Star Citation courtesy of The Huffstutter Family website

SP4 Larry Claspill's decorations

Larry is also eligible to receive the
Vietnam War Medallion from the State of Missouri

Newspaper notice announcing
the death of Larry Claspill

Larry Claspill

Newspaper clipping and photo from:

http://thewall-usa.com/

Burial:
Memorial Gardens of Memory
Buffalo
Dallas County
Missouri, USA

Grave marker for Larry V. Claspill

Photo by Cindy Underwood from the Find A Grave website

Grave monument for Larry V. Claspill

Photo by Cindy Underwood from the Find A Grave website

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