Pilots/Naval Flight Officers |
| |
TWS Ribbon Bar |
|
Service Photo |
|
|
Current Service Status
USMC Veteran
|
Current/Last Rank
Captain
|
Current/Last Primary MOS
7575-Basic Pilot VMO
|
Current/Last MOSGroup
Pilots/Naval Flight Officers
|
Previously Held MOS
220X-Dental Corps Officer
|
Primary Unit
1970-1986, 220X, US Navy
|
Service Years
1964 - 1986
|
|
|
What are you doing now:
Retired from Dentistry in the Central Florida area at age 70, moved back to my wife's home north of Whiting Field, Fl. Betty, my wife, and I hunt deer out our back door, We both use archery and guns during the appropriate season. We used to scuba dive for over thirty years, but decided to quit before the sharks had us for dinner.
We fish in the Gulf of Mexico using my boat DEADLOCK, (Deadlock was VMO-2's call sign in Vietnam.) The boat has twin Cummins and is docked near Destin Inlet. We have had this boat for over 25 years and enjoy using it whenever possible.
|
|
Other Comments:
We now help raise great grandchildren who live nearby in Milton, FL.
|
|
|
|
|
Reflections on Capt Larson's
US Marine Corps Service
|
|
|
PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MARINE CORPS.
After two years of NROTC at the U of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. I spent my second summer with Aviation training at Corpus Christi, and Marine training at Coronado, CA. My experience with the enlisted Marines was so positive. My total experience with the Navy and Marines convinced me that the Marine Corps was the best military choice, so I advised my NROTC unit I wanted to take the Marine option. The best decision I ever made!
Major Randal was my Marine adviser in NROTC. He was my instructor in military classes for the last two years in NROTC during college. He was a Mustang, enlisted in WWII, went back to college, became an officer, and fought in Korea. A fine Marine.
This is what makes the Marine Corps continue to be the best, setting a high standard.
|
WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Six years of active duty in the Marine Corps, two years flying in the Marine Reserves, sixteen in the Navy as a dentist. Twenty-six years as a civilian dentist. I left the Marines because I wanted to be a physician, but after applying to my favorite medical school in Utah I was told I was too old. Some of my friends in the Reserves were going to dental school and encouraged me to try that.
When I applied for dental school the draft and Vietnam was still going strong. My history of being a Marine helped me because one of my interviewers was a retired Navy dentist who liked the Marines. He lived to somewhat regret that he had helped me, though. My dental school, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, was just getting started. I was in the first class, 24 students. I was elected the Class President and daily had a meeting with the Dean, where I constantly complained about everything. After a year of that I decided politics was not for me and I turned my efforts into study.
My wife and I adopted three children during dental school and we never had a moment of rest after that.
|
IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Flying with VMO-2 in Vietnam(66-67), accumulating over 1000 combat hours of flight time gave me confidence that molded my success later in life. We only had slicks and gunships, Hueys, at that time. 'Our mission was to insert Recon Marines into the mountains and recover them a few days later. As the H-46 became to replace us because could carry more Marines our mission became more to carry VIPs in our slicks and use our gunships to support the other squadrons during combat operations. I was selected to replace the pilot who was flying the top three-star general, General Walt. That did not last long, as during my training I ran into a palm tree during bad weather and the General 'lost his confidence' in me, so I was fired. Again, the best thing that ever happened to me, flying gunships was a whole lot more fun and interesting than being a taxi for a General.
In combat, I was impressed by how everyone was willing to die for their buddies. If we had a helicopter shot down we ended up getting more people killed trying to save the initial people who were involved.
|
DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
When I arrived at DaNang the Marine Corps had already trained me to fly the Huey. (Pilot Qualified in Model). We just had to learn how to fly and avoid getting hit by friendly artillery fire in addition to avoid enemy fire. Sitting in the copilot seat and waiting for death every day gave me the idea that maybe I was not going to make it for thirteen months. (The Marines decided to make our tours thirteen months. The other services served twelve months and went home.)
After a while, I was allowed to fly as pilot in command and take VIPs flying into forwarding areas. We were always training new pilots, so one day we were taking a Col. to Con Thien, an outpost very close to the DMZ. We flew around the artillery fire, but I forgot to tell the new pilot to turn left at the river and we flew into North Viet Nam!! I noticed that the VIP was hitting the copilot on the helmet with his clipboard and told him to turn left. No SAMs came at us as we autorotated into the zone. Learning sometimes can be very embarrassing.
|
OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My best duty station was NAS Whiting Field where I flew first as a student, and later after Vietnam returned as a flight instructor in the T-28. This aircraft was a sturdy beast that flew acrobatics, instruments, formation, and carrier qualifications.
When I returned from Vietnam my first wife divorced me for her college instructor. The best thing that ever happened to me, but it took several years to realize that. Meanwhile, depression set in. Thank goodness the Navy treated me well, and I thank the people at Whiting Field for that. Also met my future wife there in Milton. She is still taking good care of me.
The worst duty station was MAS Iwakuni, Japan. There I was sent to be a Navy General Dentist for three years. The only good thing was I was able to bring my family along.
I really didn't like general dentistry. In addition, in the last two years there I was assigned to treat all the dependent children. I didn't know much about that but could talk on the phone to a couple of Navy specialists in central Japan. I didn't know it at that time but working hard as a dentist resulted in getting good enough fitness reports that I was accepted into the training program at Bethesda Navy Hospital to become a Periodontist.
|
FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
When I was still a copilot in VMO-2 in Vietnam we had a helicopter shot down. The Marines wanted it back, so the Generals told us to go get it. They asked for volunteers. Major Hazelbaker raised his hand. I was selected to go even though I didn't raise my hand. That was one mission I had my .45 ready to go because I was sure we were going into an ambush. I just sat on my hands while the Major did all the flying...and was he a great pilot. He previously had earned the Silver Star in our squadron. I wonder how our country can be blessed by men like him.
|
WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I am most proud of earning my Wings of Gold and of flying in VMO-2 in Vietnam.
I was awarded 41 Air Medals. It took twenty missions to earn one Air Medal. My admin clerk told me I had 16 missions and only needed four more to get my 42 one. I politely told him the squadron CO said I could go home, and I did.
|
OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My Air Medals mean the most to me. Flying in VMO-2 required the tremendous effort of the enlisted Marines to keep us supporting the ground Marines. My Crew Chief and gunner always did what was needed to protect our helicopters from coming apart or being shot down. What a team.
|
WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Dr. Baker, our squadron flight surgeon, found out that I was interested in becoming a physician. He encouraged me to do that. He said I would be disappointed if I didn't go for the highest goal.
He later was killed while flying copilot during a mission with our squadron, VMO-2.
That stopped our flight surgeons from going on missions with us. I wish I could tell his family what an inspiration he was to me. He changed my life for the better.
|
LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
Bill Kirby was the General's Pilot when I ran into a palm tree. It was terrible weather, raining and the windshield wipers didn't work well in a Huey, so in heavy rain, we watched out the side window a lot.
I still email Bill and we have swapped sea stories.
We have an association, Pop a Smoke, which admits all people associated with flying in Vietnam. Pilots, crewmen, corpsmen, etc. The meetings have slowed since COVID came along.
|
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
At one time I was selected to be the pilot in training to fly the head General of the Marines in Vietnam, General Walt. I flew the second slick Huey. If the first one went down, I was to get them out.
One cloudy and rainy day when no one should have been flying, General Walt wanted to go to some area out in Indian country. Capt Kerby was the General's pilot..he knew the area and I didn't, so I followed him. As usual, that meant loose cruise. Since it was raining and we couldn't see very well we flew very low and fast. I had no copilot. I glanced away for a second, and when I looked ahead all I could see was a very tall solitary palm tree in the middle of a rice paddy. I pulled up and to the left and it hit right behind me..wham! I knew I was going to crash and told Capt Kerby I was going down. I didn't, just has a lot of palm fronds flying around the cockpit. Procedures said to go slow. I did and finally landed safely.
The General was waiting as I applied the rotor brake. He walked up to the door window and asked if I was flying too low. I said no sir, it was just a tall palm tree. He saw no humor in my remark, and I went back to flying gunships and having a ball. Sort of ruined my career in the Marines, but I had decided that the civilian world was calling.
|
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
While at Whiting Field as a flight instructor I prepared to apply to the airlines by getting a lot of flying certificates, etc. In case I decided to apply to medical school I took night courses in pre-med courses like chemistry because I had forgotten a lot.
I got a class date with United, but got off selling cosmetics with my wife and thought I could do better with that. That didn't work out after a while, but by then a recession had come along. Med school said I was too old, so I went to dental school. A good decision compared to medicine. Much less government control and more freedom as a dentist. (Thank you, God)
After 22 years of active duty I worked as a civilian Periodontist in several large dental clinics in the Orlando area. My last location was at Celebration Hospital, Celebration, FL. Retired at age 70.
|
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Popasmoke.com, life member.
This organization helped me contact people who are important to me.
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
My first Navy ROTC scholarship would not allow me to take pre-dental or pre-medical. So, I became a general science jr. high school teacher. Didn't teach, though, I had taken the Marine option and went to The Basic School, Quantico, VA. Finally passed the eye exam for flying while there, and went on to earn my wings in 1965.
What I miss is flying. I now live 5 miles NE of Whiting Field and the T-6s fly over my farm daily. Teaching formation years ago drove me nuts after two years, and I switched to Instruments. That helped me with my plans on going with the airlines. I took my instructors' test in a T-28 with my CO's approval at the Pensacola civilian airport. I passed the exams later with United and had a class date scheduled for after I was to resign from the Marine Corps. I changed my mind and went into sales.
Luckily I gained sales experience when the airlines went into laying off their new pilots. One of my VMO-2 friends, Jim Latimer, became a bartender for many years before he was rehired.
My sales manager was helpful when I asked for a letter of recommendation for my dental school application. There were over 2000 applications for the first class of dentistry at the U. of FL, Gainesville. I was one of the 24 who was accepted.
As previously mentioned, I ended up as a Periodontist. Without the training in the Marines, I doubt I would have done much other than teaching in Jr High school.
|
BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE MARINE CORPS?
Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities available. Ask questions from people you know and admire. Becoming an Officer in the Marines is a step in the right direction.
Set your goals high, and never give up.
Marry a person who will back you up whatever it takes. My wife, Betty, had my back the whole time, and that is why I made it. I asked her if she would work to support me if I went to Dental School and she said yes.
|
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I used Pop a Smoke a lot initially for finding buddies. When I retired in the Pensacola area I discovered many Marines that I like. It really helps to live in a military-friendly area. Together We Served has helped me find some of my friends. KC 10.17.20
|
|