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In Memory of U.S. Navy Boatmate 3^rd Class

Gary Alvin Larsen

Yankton South Dakota, Clay County

 November 7, 1946 -- March 3, 1968

Killed in Action in Cua Viet River South Vietnam

 

Gary Alvin Larsen was born on November 7, 1946, in Yankton, South Dakota, to Alvin and Dagny Larsen. He had one brother, Roger, and one sister, Marlys. Gary attended high school in Viborg and graduated in 1964. After high school Gary worked as a carpenter and body shop repairman.

Gary Larsen enlisted in the Navy and entered active service on June 8, 1966, at Omaha, Nebraska. He took his basic training at San Diego, California. He was a Boatmate 3rd Class in the Navy. After being sent overseas, he was stationed on a patrol boat.

Boatmate 3rd Class Gary Alvin Larsen was killed in Vietnam on Cua Viet River when his boat on night patrol was sunk by enemy forces midway to the Bridge Ramp, Dong Ha, South Vietnam on March 3, 1968. First reported as missing in action to his parents, Gary’s status was amended to killed in action after the boat was found on March 4 and his body recovered on March 8, 1968. After his funeral services in Viborg, BM3 Gary Larsen was buried with military honors at the Bethany Cemetery.

Gary Larsen is survived by his sister, Marlys Yonke, of Crofton, Nebraska, and his brother, Roger Larsen, also a Navy veteran, St. Helena, Nebraska.

This entry was respectfully submitted by Cody Reinert, 8th grade, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, on February 8, 2006. Information for this entry was provided by the South Dakota Vietnam Veteran’s bonus application and information from Marlys M. Yonke, sister. P/S/F/A 2/15/06 and 5/21/06.