Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

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 pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer (W-1) Larry Allen Bodell (ASN: W-3161627), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 235th Aerial Weapons Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 19 February 1969. Warrant Officer Bodell distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as pilot/gunner of an AH-1G helicopter engaged in combat assault operations. His fire team was urgently dispatched to aid a friendly ground unit engaged in combat by a well entrenched enemy force. He immediately located the enemy positions for the fire team leader, and placed highly accurate machine gun fire on these fortifications. Warrant Officer Bodell led repeated attacks on the enemy positions with such devastating results that the friendly elements were finally able to launch a successful attack against the right flank of the hostile force. With the friendly forces occupying a portion of the enemy positions, Warrant Officer Bodell was now firing his weapon within 30 meters of the friendly forces. As a result, he constantly urged the aircraft commander to move closer to the enemy in order to insure greater safety for these friendly elements. With total disregard for his own personal safety, he ignored the heavy volume of fire constantly directed at his aircraft, and continued to place extremely accurate fire onto the enemy positions. After inflicting many casualties on the enemy forces, Warrant Officer Bodell was struck by a burst of enemy automatic weapons and mortally wounded. His extraordinary heroism in combat against the enemy force saved the lives of many friendly soldiers on the ground, and materially contributed to the successful attack on the remaining enemy positions. His action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Date: February 19, 1969 Warrant Officer Larry A. Bodell of Wyoming, Michigan is honored on Panel 32W, Row 57 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Pilot WO Terry J. Gwinn and gunner WO Larry A. Bodell, flying AH-1G tail number 66-15331, were working near Rach Gia in An Xuygen Province when the aircraft was hit by small arms fire. Although the aircraft was not brought down, WO Bodell was badly wounded; by the time WO Gwinn landed at the Special Forces camp at Rach Gia WO Bodell had died.