Larry Alan Stephens was born 9-5-1950. His father was Harry . His mother was Larry had two sisters; Debra and Tammy and one brother; Mike. The family lived in O’Fallon MO and Larry attended Ft. Zumwalt High School. He enlisted in July 1968 and served in the 108th Artillery Group, 6th Battalion, 33rd Artillery, A Battery. He began his tour in Vietnam on May 6, 1969. Larry attained the He rank of Private First Class. Larry married Mary Ellen McElay Stephens five days before he shipped to Vietnam.
Larry had a medical emergency which led to his death on 1-SEP 1969. Recorded circumstances attributed to: “Died through non-hostile action, illness disease.” Incident location: South Vietnam, Thua Thien province. He was 19.
MEMORIAL FROM LARRY’S UNIT NEWSLETTER: From the Lion’s Roar dated September 13, 1969. LZ Birmingham – Memorial services were held here Wednesday for an A Battery cannoneer who was stricken by a cerebral hemorrhage at battalion organization day activities. PFC Larry A. Stephens died September 1 enroute to the U.S. Navy hospital ship “Repose” after collapsing during a tug-of-war at Phu Bai. 1/44th Artillery Chaplain CP William Warmath officiated with 108th Arty Group Chaplain MAJ Ralph F. Carney. Present were battalion commander LTC Everett E. Hooper, 108th Arty Group commander COL Roscoe C. Cartwright and XXIV Corps Arty Deputy Commander COL John. M. Jennings. Stephens, 19, joined the battalion May 6 as a Battery A cannoneer. He enlisted in July 1968, took basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and Artillery advanced individual training at Ft. Sill, OK. Stephens attended Ft. Zumwalt High School in O’Fallon, MO. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen McElay, whom he married five days before he came to Vietnam, by his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Harry. O. Stephens, two sisters; Debra and Tammy and a brother; Mike. The family lived in O’Fallon, MO.
Larry Alan Stephens is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.