Unyielding Courage: The Legacy of Corporal Larry L. Maxam

Early Life and Struggles: Born on January 9, 1948, in Glendale, California, Larry Maxam grew up in Burbank, where he attended Emerson Primary School, John Muir Junior High, and Burbank High School. In 1964, he left high school early to pursue a different path in life. Maxam was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which instilled in him values of service, sacrifice, and faith. Like many young men of his era, his life was shaped by the turbulent times of the Vietnam War, a conflict that would ultimately define his destiny.

Military Enlistment and Heroics: On March 8, 1965, Maxam enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Los Angeles. He underwent recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and later advanced training at Camp Pendleton. Over the next few years, he served in various roles, including with the Marine Aviation Detachment in Jacksonville, Florida, and as a rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines at Camp Lejeune.

His assignments took him from Puerto Rico to the Caribbean and ultimately to Vietnam in July 1967. There, he served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division as a rifleman, radioman, and squad leader. Rising to the rank of Corporal by October 1967, Maxam quickly earned respect for his courage and leadership.

Defining Moment: Corporal Maxam’s defining moment came on February 2, 1968, during Operation Kentucky in Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam. When the Cam Lộ District Headquarters came under massive attack by enemy forces, a section of the defensive perimeter was destroyed. Recognizing the danger, Maxam ordered his assistant to take charge of his fire team and ran toward the most vulnerable position.

Completely exposed to enemy fire, he manned an abandoned machine gun and unleashed devastating fire on the advancing enemy. Despite being wounded repeatedly by grenades, small arms fire, and a rocket-propelled grenade that nearly blinded him, Maxam refused to quit. For over an hour and a half, he fought almost single-handedly, holding back a numerically superior force and protecting his fellow Marines. Eventually, weakened by his wounds, he fell—but not before saving countless lives through his unyielding courage.

Post-War Life and Career: Tragically, Larry Maxam never returned home from Vietnam. At just 20 years old, he paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Oahu, Hawaii, a resting place for many American heroes. Though his life was short, his legacy endures as a symbol of valor and devotion to duty.

Military Awards and Decorations: For his actions, Corporal Maxam was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, presented by President Richard M. Nixon. His full list of decorations includes:

His name is also inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., on Panel 36E, Row 078—a lasting tribute to his sacrifice.

Corporal Larry L. Maxam’s story is one of indomitable spirit and heroic selflessness. At just twenty years old, he displayed courage beyond measure, defending his comrades at the cost of his own life. His Medal of Honor is not just a recognition of his valor but a reminder of the countless young men who gave everything in service to their nation during the Vietnam War. Larry Maxam’s name and sacrifice will forever be remembered as a testament to the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.