Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Warrant Officer One (WO-1)

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    December 1, 1968

    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1260 (May 24, 1969)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Larry P. Spencer (ASN: W-3158943), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 1 December 1968 while serving as a pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date in the vicinity of Bien Hoa, Warrant Officer Spencer participated in an assault upon an enemy force of unknown size. Though receiving a continuous barrage of enemy automatic weapons fire, Warrant Officer Spencer radioed pertinent information of the enemy’s location and strength to his commander. During one of his numerous passes over the hostile elements, his aircraft received a number of direct hits from enemy automatic weapons fire, damaging the aircraft and wounding him. Despite his pain, Warrant Officer Spencer displayed exceptional flying ability and successfully landed his aircraft without further damaging it. Warrant Officer Spencer’s unwavering devotion to duty and personal bravery were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Warrant Officer One (WO-1)

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    September 23, 1968

    Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1689 (November 15, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Larry P. Spencer (ASN: W-3158943), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 23 September 1968 while serving as Scout Team Leader with Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Warrant Officer Spencer was on a bomb damage assessment mission following a B-52 strike near the village of Binh My. While conducting his detailed low level reconnaissance, Warrant Officer Spencer’s aircraft received fire from well-fortified enemy bunkers which had survived the heavy air strike. Disregarding his own safety, he turned his aircraft and assaulted the enemy position with his mini-gun. He then skillfully continued this assault until he was forced to abort the operation as a result of shortage of fuel. Quickly refueling and receiving permission to return to the area of contact, Warrant Officer Spence resumed his low level bomb damage assessment, assisting in the direction of a second tactical air strike on the remaining bunkers. Despite the vulnerability of his observation helicopter, Warrant Officer Spencer again assaulted the well-fortified enemy complex with his mini-gun and placed smoke grenades directly on the bunker, enabling a third air strike to be placed on the enemy positions. His exceptionally aggressive actions inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, forcing them to abandon a well-supplied base camp. Warrant Officer Spencer’s heroic actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.