LARRY TRAVIS Cox 38525933 KIA

LARRY TRAVIS Cox 38525933 US Army Airborne Parachute Infantry KIA DSC Korean War, He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Cox of Many. He was born April 30, 1926, and attended Many High School. Prior to induction he worked at 8th Service Command at Camp Polk. On February 8, 1944, he entered the Parachute Infantry at Fort Humbug at the age of 17. He trained at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, and Fort Ord, California, from which he embarked March 6, 1945, for overseas duty. In Luzon, Philippine Islands, he was in front line duty with the Paratroopers making the famous parachute landing on that island and serving as first scout. He fought on Luzon and in the battle for the Philippines, and with the 188th Parachute Regiment was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for outstanding valor and achievement in action against the enemy in the bitter fighting on Luzon. From Luzon he went to Okinawa and to Honshu Province, Japan, where he continued to serve with the Army of Occupation after the cessation of hostilities. He served in Company B 11th Engineer Combat Battalion, 3d Infantry Division during the Korean War. On September 3, 1950 “evacuate a member of his platoon who had been wounded. In order to do so he came under heavy enemy fire from mortars and automatic-weapons. After effecting the evacuation of the wounded member of his platoon, Sergeant Cox returned to his platoon to further engage the enemy. Again on his own initiative and with complete disregard for his own personal safety while under heavy enemy fire, he attempted to outflank the enemy in order to secure a more advantageous position for his platoon’s heavy weapons and while so doing was mortally wounded by the enemy.” This action earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Purple Heart Medal. He was Killed in Action on September 5, 1950, at the age of 24.

 

Source:

1- THE FIGHTING MEN OF LOUISIANA – LOUISIANA HISTORICAL INSTITUTE – 1946

2- http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=7355

3- the U.S., Korean War Casualties, 1950-1957