Thank you, Walt. To your Dad and to you. Stories like this make me even more proud to be an American. #respect

There should be a kleenex warning on stories like this... Thanks for honoring your Dad and all our WWII heros.

What a man. A great man. Remember what Memorial Day is about.

Truly an American Hero. God Bless all our Heroes who fought for our freedoms. Sad that our country and military branches didn't recognize or appreciate our brave soldiers. Thankful for each and every one of brave fighters. God bless their families.

Real American patriots are better served without Government interference/intervention!!!
Look back at the hurricanes last year. The PEOPLE were getting things done long before Government showed up!
We have to start having more faith in God, and ourselves, in order to motivate each other again! THAT is how We, The People win!!!!

My first job after completing college was in the newly formed computer graphics section of the cartography division of the school of geoscience at LSU. Phil Larimore was in charge of the cartography division. We worked on many projects together assisting graduate students. Two major projects led by Phil were the graphical presentation of data from the 1970 census and the official maps of the three mile line separating state waters from federal waters. I spent many hours on the couch in Phil’s office, taking advice from a man I greatly admired. He was certainly a hero who had lived a full life at an early age, but also in my experience someone who continued to contribute to society through his work at LSU.

Undefined, what a meaningful experience to have known him!

I'm 78 and served my country. I love to read stories of our brave men and women who fought and kept us free. I need to find a copy of the book you wrote. God bless you and your family.

I just purchased a copy. It is not too hard to find. Put in Larimore and At First Light. It is available online both new and used.

Impressive story of one who cared. Those who care more for others than they ever did for themselves are our true treasures. And they are many. Not all of them served in the military. Some served in hospitals, on ambulances, in fire departments and on police forces. Others no one ever sees except the family members they served during their dying days or years. But every one of them is special. Most will never hear a word about it, never receive a medal, or get their name posted in a museum. But we should remember they are or were there and be ever thankful, so thankful they exist or did. They keep us more human by their very presence among us.

Great Memorial Day story.

From those of us who served, but not with his distinction, God bless him & thank you.

Every gutless politician who is hell bent on disowning and destroying the greatness of our nation, should be forced to read this heart wrenching and humbling story of a true American unsung hero! RIP in peace Sir!

AMEN! Rest in peace Phil. A great patriot!

Talk about unsung hero! I only wish the military would have found something else for him to do. Sounds like they just turned their back on him

Wow! Thank you for sharing an incredible story and yes a real Hero!

What a wonderful tribute to a Hero!

An amazing stroy and so touching. He WAS a true hero.

Thank you, Walt. Your father's story defines what is a true American hero. He didn't think he was a hero, he just did what was necessary to complete the mission. That is why we have Memorial Day, so we can all remember the sacrifices of our service men and women. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thank you.

This made me tear up. What an example of manhood!

God bless the men and women who bless us with their sacrifices.

What a great man. I would like to see a movie made about him also. These are the people kids need to be emulating - not rock stars and sports players.....

A BIG Thank YOU to all the Men and Women who served in the Arm Forces of the United States of America. I am so privileged to be an American. God Bless!!!

That man was a leader...the kind of leader described by those who served under Gen. Lee. They said they'd "charge hell with a bucket of water for that old man." Thank God for men like them.
CHC
Huey crew chief - Vietnam

There is an expression for this it's F.T.A. While the Top Brass is out of shape they do demand that the lower ranks be in top condition. As an amputee the brass saw him as unfit. Which he wasn't and there were a lot of jobs in the Army he could do but they do not see it that way what a shame.
Ask today's members to take a run around the base they will have running shoes and the whole 9 yards.. Back all the way to Vietnam you did your PT in Combat boots and fatigues.

I got something in my eye as I finished this. I hope my sons say the same about me.

HEAR, HEAR! MAY THE HEROES OF YESTERYEAR NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

RIP HERO. Thank you for our freedom!

Under recent demoratic administrations, veterans were neglected. President Bush and vice president Cheney even forbade the media to show wounded and dead soldiers returning to America from fighting in a war against non-existing "weapons of vastdestruction" . Under that administration as well as well as under the Biden administration veterans were proorly treated. Many of them were lying on the bare floor of veterans' hospitals completely neglected, because there were not enough beds, doctors and nurses. Many wounded veterans still live in "shelters" or on the street, begging for money. Hopefully, the current admnistration will correct that uneccaptable situation.

What a fantastic tribute to an honorable man. Thank you for introducing his story to us. May his memory ever be a blessing to you and all his descendants.

What an injustice! Bless him and all the others who fought and died to keep our country free!

God bless his memory! The article makes me so proud to be here in our Land of the Free and Home of the Brave! Thank you for telling us about your Father, Walt. I know he is smiling on you.

You did your Father proud Walt. You both did America proud, and we offer eternal thanks and gratitude.

Magnificent story. Your dad 's a real hero.

Simply amazing. God was behind us at one time and this story proves it. RIP young man, may your memory live on.

Your Dad didn't want to be singled out as a hero, seeing himself as one who served and survived, while so many others served and lost their lives. To me, they are all heroes and we owe them so much. We need to follow their example and do what is needed to defend our republic from those who seek to destroy it from within. Thank you for sharing his story, a remarkable man.

Dr. Walt, Thank you for sharing your treasured memories of your dad's heroic service. He is the best of what America has to offer. Very humble; not seeking fanfare over his military accomplishments. Physically, he left a part of himself in WWII Europe in its defense. Mentally, he had the resilience to recover, with support from his family, friends, and faith, and find a new purpose for his life, continuing to serve. Your dad was a model American and Patriot. Thanking God for him.

Thank you for this story!

Many are called but few are chosen.

God bless your father, my father (an atomic veteran who served on three Destroyers during operation Hardtack), my mother’s ancestors who fought in the American Revolution, my Great Grandfather who fought in the Spanish- American War and WWI, Great Uncles (one stormed Normandy beach and lived to tell the tale, another survived Guadalcanal,) my mother’s three brothers (especially my uncle Jim who received three Purple Heart awards) serving in Korea together, and all of the brave men and women who sacrificed everything to liberate America and so many others around the world.

I truly believe the stories of all of these brave men should be taught in every American history class.
Sadly, many young people today have no idea of the REAL stories and REAL sacrifices behind the freedom they, and too many others , take for granted.

Our children should be reading the true stories of REAL American heroes like your father in school so that they can fully comprehend what REAL bravery, honor and sacrifice means.

Whenever I see some lefty on TV calling someone “brave” for “coming out” or doing something stupid, it literally boils my blood!

When I see illegal criminals called “Maryland Father” or “Virginia resident “ ( like they’re really American citizens who EARNED the right to be called such by TAKING AN OATH of citizenship and SWEARING ALLEGIANCE to America- like my family and millions of PATRIOTIC immigrants did) it SICKENS me to my core!

The media , Government, and many people have literally changed the definition of words in the dictionary over the past few years. They have also CHEAPENED and CHANGED the definition of “AMERICAN” to suit a radical agenda.
This is the MOST dangerous thing !

FREEDOM ISN’T FREE and we must stop allowing “that which is Holy” ( Our Covenant with God on which our Constitution is based) and the sacrifices of those who fought for them, to be pilfered and “cast before swine who turn and render us” as the Bible says.

Civic Duty is not ONLY for those in the military!
WE THE PEOPLE have a CIVIC DUTY to ensure everyone in America understands the REAL MEANING of the term “American “ and what is required to EARN that status!!!

As a Government “by the People, for the People, WE, THE PEOPLE ultimately bear the responsibility of ENFORCING REQUIREMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP —-along with the rest of those Constitutional rights BELONGING ONLY TO Sworn, legal AMERICANS and ensuring our PUBLIC SERVANTS , as well as our fellow citizens, maintain/enforce those requirements!

We are also responsible for ensuring that our children are properly educated on the same.

EVERY American citizen must do their part!

Great article. I'm glad I read it. Going to enjoy reading the book.

An American Hero. A heart warming story in times such as these.

Thank you for sharing this. It is crucial Americans know these stories of the people who served and sacrificed and the heroic deeds they did. I am truly thankful to all the men and women who serve, served, and, most of all who sacrificed all so that I could live in this country with the freedoms I have had. Lest we forget........

Great article. The soldiers who fought in WW two very rarely talked about what went on during their days in combat. They did their duty, came home and usually went back into the workforce. They didn’t brag about being a “hero” . You asked any of them they would all tell you the ones that came back in body bags or were given a battlefield burial were the heroes. Usually they possibly talked shop with other veterans during reunions but typically family members had to pry it out of them if their stories were to be preserved for future generations to read about.

Thank you for sharing the sacrifice he made for freedom for future generations..Major Philip Larimore we thank you for your service and sacrifice. We will honor you by remembering your name .🇺🇸 & read the book!

Walt, your father wasn't only a hero, but a true American badass! Thank you for keeping his and other's memories alive. May he rest in the peace he earned.

Thank you. I just ordered the book. :)

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story about your dad. I'm thankful for his sacrifices he made during his military career, and I'm very respectful and appreciative of every one that has served for our country. I'm from the Vietnam era and I'm still disappointed that our troops that fought in a senseless war never received the welcome home like previous soldiers. All military men and women deserve our respect and should be honored during peace time as well as war time.

I will buy the book this week.

Sounds like a hit movie to me.
Could Clint Eastwood do one more for us?
Or Mel Gibson?