Obituary of Gary A. Larrow
Gary Allen Larrow, 68, of Brooklyn, CT passed unexpectedly December 24, 2019 at home. Born March 11, 1951, son of Albert and Charlotte (Durand) Larrow. Gary was a decorated combat Vietnam Army Veteran, who received a Purple Heart and Air Medal. He also served eight years with the RI Air National Guard after being Honorably discharged from the Army. He was a truck driver for almost 50 Years, just like his father and grandfather.
He leaves his mother Charlotte E. Larrow of Danielson; his daughters Patricia (Matthew) George of Dayville, CT and Shannon Larrow of New London, CT; his grandsons Sean George and Paul George of Dayville, CT; his granddaughter Brianna Larrow of Putnam, CT; his estranged wife Patricia A. Larrow of Putnam, CT; his brothers Steven (Terri) Larrow of Brooklyn, CT, Michael (Cheri) Larrow of Orlando, IN, Kenneth (Phyllis) Larrow of Danielson, CT and Edward (Sue) Larrow of Pomfret, CT; his sister Charlotte Larrow of Brooklyn, CT; his loving companion Susan Strouse and her family of Brooklyn, CT. Also several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Gary was predeceased by his father Albert Larrow, his son Sean Allen Larrow; his co-pilot and Cav Brother Tom Suprok, who Gary now co-pilots with through the heavens.
Calling hours will be Monday, January 6, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday January 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM in St. James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson, CT. Burial with Military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson, CT.
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Eulogy prepared and presented at Gary's funeral by Long Knife Pilot, Tim Dahlen
January 8, 2020
Gary was a proud trooper of Light Horse Air Cavalry 1970-71. While serving as door
gunner, With the War Wagon Aero Scout Platoon Gary survived a horrendous helicopter
crash.
In the book, The Aviators, published this past summer by Light Horse pilot Rex Gooch, a
chapter is dedicated to telling the story of an Aero scout door gunner.
This story was told to Rex by Gary Larrow and is his recollection of that fateful day in the Mekong
Delta of South Vietnam.
The War Wagon Gunner performs a crucial role for Light Horse Air Cavalry. They are the
eyes on the ground, searching for telltale signs of enemy activity whether it be
footprints, trails, bent grass, campfire remains, clothing, bunkers or anything
suggesting the enemy’s presence. Simply put, the gunner’s job, working in close
coordination with the pilot, is to seek out and find the enemy – often by attracting enemy fire.
On one such mission Gary and his pilot discover an enemy unit deep in the forest.
Looking into a tree line, Gary sees an enemy soldier, hiding behind a tree.
The lefthanded soldier raises his rifle aiming at their helicopter. Gary thinks This is odd I have
never seen a left-handed guy shooting at me. Instinctively Gary opens fire neutralizing the threat.
At that very moment Gary’s aircraft began taking fire from numerous enemy soldiers,
from multiple locations. The pilot attempted to swing the ship around to return fire with
the mini-gun, but it was to late, as bullets ripped through the cockpit the pilot was shot
in the feet and legs. With the aircraft severely damaged but still flying, Gary grabbed
the controls and initiated a departure from the contact. The pilot took hold of the
controls again to fly to a safe location to land. During the approach to land the pilot in
severe pain from his injuries, came down hard. Just before impact, Gary looks forward,
seeing the fast-approaching ground, and thinks, This is going to hurt. Immediately after
impact, Gary exits the aircraft and runs to help his pilot out. Once out of the aircraft it
becomes apparent his pilot is unable to walk with his severely wounded feet. Gary pulls
the pilots left arm over his shoulder and carries him to the Command and Control
aircraft that followed them into the landing spot.
The pilot flying the C&C aircraft looks out and sees Gary half-carrying his wounded pilot
to the rescue aircraft and thinks, "What a classic image of the Air Cavalry, a gunner
carrying his injured pilot to safety."
This was the caliber of Gary Larrow, Light Horse Trooper.
In closing I would like to read two poems, one for the family and friends gathered here
today, the other for Gary, Light Horse Trooper and Brother In Arms.
Folded Wings
Light Horse Home