DOB/DOD: April 24, 1948 (Norwalk, CT) – present
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Maria Ann Proto Pitcher (1949-) on September 19, 1970, in Norwalk
CHILDREN: unknown
LOCAL ADDRESS: 79 Winfield Street and 27 Myrtle Street, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: October 31, 1966; Discharged in November 1969.
SERVICE NUMBER: 11800161
UNIT: Company B, 299th Engineer Battalion
In Larry Pitcher’s own words: “Kantum Vietnam 30 Jan 1968 – about 10-11:00 p.m. — I was on radio watch in Toc Bunker when all Hell broke loose. It was raining rockets and mortars. When the CO came to the bunker, I gave him the report that one of the bunkers didn’t answer the landline or radio. He said someone had to go out to check. When I looked around, I realized that I was the low man in the Toc Bunker. So, I grabbed my gear and went out. When I got to the bunker, both the landline radios were working – it was two NCOs, scared. I called for help. When help arrived, there was too much room for me. I stayed outside, lying on the ground. A mortar landed in front of me – blowing my helmet off my head. I got shrapnel, dirt, and rocks in my face, eyes, and forehead. I had help going to the med shack after the mortars stopped. 1st SGT put me in for a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star — never got the Star… Did I mention it was raining mortars and rockets???” Webmaster note: many thanks to Larry for sharing his story.
From The Norwalk Hour September 10, 1968
NORWALK FIGHTS ON IN RAIN AND MUD
“The rain and the mud have been unbelievable,” said Army Specialist Four Lawrence F. Pitcher of Norwalk, “but we’re getting the job done.” Specialist Pitcher, 20, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Gero, 26 Franklin Street, is a communications specialist in an engineer platoon that was airlifted into the midst of hostile territory to do repair work on a badly needed airfield near Dak Seang, Vietnam. Specialist Pitcher entered the Army in October 1966, completed basic training at Fort Gordon [Fort Eisenhower as of 2023], Georgia, and was stationed at Fort Bragg [Fort Liberty as of 2023], North Carolina, before arriving in Vietnam in August 1967. He holds the Purple Heart Medal. The specialist attended Brien McMahon High School and was employed by Fluted Paper Products before entering the Army.
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