A Pilot’s Sacrifice
By Jessie Asay
Larry James Branaugh
June 19, 1943 - April 20, 1968
The stories of Vietnam War veterans are typically ignored in history, but this is not the case for Larry Branaugh. As the first service member from Thornton, Colorado to sacrifice his life in Vietnam, Larry has received significant recognition for his service, but beyond that, is remembered for his sense of duty and courage. When Matt Branaugh, a University of Denver Alumnus (B.A. 1998 and J.D. 2020) and Larry’s nephew, heard about the Veterans Legacy Project, he wanted to ensure that Larry’s service was remembered in this space. Larry’s personable nature stood out throughout his service, and despite his death at a young age, Larry left remarkable and lasting impacts on those he left behind.
Larry Branaugh was born on June 19, 1943 in Washington D.C. The son of Walter Branaugh and Alice Welsh, he was the oldest of four children. Walter was a welder by trade and moved around often to secure job stability.[1] The family lived in Washington DC, South Dakota, and Minnesota before moving to Colorado in the 1950s and finally settling in Thornton.[2] Larry was known as a “football hero” and an “inquisitive kid” in high school.[3] He graduated from Merritt Hutton High School in 1961, and continued his education at the University of Colorado in Boulder, attending from 1961-1965.
Following college, Larry enlisted in the military in 1966 and began serving in the Army on July 15, 1967.[4] Larry’s completion of the Aviation Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Course designated him as a Warrant Officer, with responsibilities including training soldiers, organizing and advising on missions, and advancing in his specialty.[5] In the Army, Rotary Wing Aviators (helicopter pilots) are still officers, but not commissioned ones. Appointing these service members as specialty officers is the military’s solution to making officers out of highly trained technical experts without saddling them with the burdens of command and politics faced by lieutenants and above.[6] His two brothers enlisted as well, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard (James) and the U.S. Army (Donald). They each served in the thick of the Vietnam War, operating out of patriotic duty.
Larry’s major command was the 1st Cavalry Division.[7] The unit was the first full U.S. Army division deployed to Vietnam, consisting of nine battalions of airmobile infantry, an air reconnaissance squadron, six battalions of artillery, and the 11th Aviation Group.[8] The 11th Aviation Group, of which Larry was a part, was made up of three aviation battalions consisting of 11 companies of assault helicopters, assault support helicopters, and gunships.[9] Within the group, he was a member of the 229th Aviation Battalion, Company B. He was a devoted service member who had quickly secured the admiration and respect of his peers, as he was described as “one of the fellows that you liked immediately” and, as acquaintances recall, his more experienced peers recognized “professionalism and talent when we saw it.”[10] Larry was affectionately nicknamed ‘Yosemite Sam’ and later ‘Commando Red’ by his fellow service members because of his large red mustache. His service was exceptional in itself, but his conduct and personality shone brightly throughout his service, and the consensus from his peers was that “he was the consummate professional” and “there wasn’t anything negative to say” about him.[11]
Larry receiving a purple heart.
His greatest sacrifice occurred on April 20, 1968, when Larry lost his life in Quang Tri Province I Corps in South Vietnam. Larry had just returned from an R&R period and returned to the A Shau Valley to continue his service. His final mission involved flying his UH-1H helicopter and picking up fellow service members to fly them to safety. On April 19, 1968, Larry and 10 others were shot down. His crew chief, Harold Henderson, recalled that “he saved me and 2 other crew members and 7 grunts that day with his flying ability, he was one of the best.”[12] The helicopter was taken down by enemy fire, but Larry and his crew “got it on the ground successfully without further damage.”[13] After landing, Larry disembarked the craft and was tragically shot by hostile fire. He was evacuated to a medical aid station but lost his life the next day at the young age of 24.
For his exemplary military service, he was honored with numerous rewards, including a Distinguished Flying Star, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, an Air Medal, and two Purple Hearts.[14] His service was remarkable, but his family and peers remember him beyond the actions that brought him commendations. The professionalism and courage he demonstrated throughout his short life was remarkable and has created a legacy that has affected many people beyond those he knew. His memory is sustained by his family’s constant effort to pay homage to his sacrifice, including his brother Jim’s efforts in establishing the Thornton’s Veterans Memorial, of which he was the chairman, to honor his brother and other veterans, and recognition by the Department of Defense for his sacrifice.[15] Larry’s death left a tremendous hole in many lives, but his legacy of honor and bravery remains.
Footnotes ↓
[1]Matthew Branaugh, telephone interview by Jessie Asay, July 10, 2020, DU VLP.
[2]Ibid.
[3] Jon Chandler, “WO LARRY JAMES BRANAUGH,” The Wall- USA (Vietnam Veterans Memorial, August 26, 2004), http://thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=5318, (Accessed September 2, 2020).
[4] TogetherWeServed.com, “Larry James Branaugh: Person, Pictures and Information,” Fold3, March 5, 2009, https://www.fold3.com/page/93134431-larry-james-branaugh, (Accessed September 2, 2020).
[5] “Aviation Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Course,” U.S. Army Records Search & Veteran Locator | TWS, (Accessed August 20, 2020), https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=PublicUnitProfile.
[6] Adam Luckwaldt, “Career Profile: Army Rotary Wing Aviator,” The Balance Careers, December 17, 2018, https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-rotary-wing-aviator-2356446 (Accessed September 2, 2020).
[7] TogetherWeServed.com, “Larry James Branaugh,” Fold3.
[8] History.com Editors, “1st Cavalry Division Arrives in South Vietnam,” History.com (A&E Television Networks, November 16, 2009), https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/1st-cavalry-division-arrives-in-country (Accessed September 2, 2020).
[9] Ibid.
[10] Anonyomous, “THE WALL OF FACES,” Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, November 19, 2002, https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/5342/LARRY-J-BRANAUGH/, (Accessed September 2, 2020).
[11] Ibid.
[12] Henderson, Harold. “Larry James Branaugh: Person, Pictures and Information.” Fold3, March 27, 2008. https://www.fold3.com/page/93134431-larry-james-branaugh (Accessed September 2, 2020).
[13] Gary Roush, “BRANAUGH LARRY JAMES,” Information on BRANAUGH LARRY JAMES, May 25, 2020, https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/K10215.HTM (Accessed September 2, 2020).
[14] HonorStates Editors, “Larry James Branaugh: Warrant Officer from Colorado, Vietnam War Casualty,” https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=312648, (Accessed August 20, 2020).
[15]Matthew Branaugh, telephone interview by Jessie Asay, July 10, 2020 DU VLP.
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