Honoring Larry Robert Banister

2024 Huntington Veteran's Day Grand Marshall

Hat Tip,

Tim Eckert The Veteran Service Officer for Huntington County

Larry Robert Banister was born in Fairmount, Indiana and graduated from Jefferson Township H.S. in Huntington County 1960. He joined the US Marine Corps on June 3, 1969, and served 20 years retiring on June 4, 1989. He began his career at Recruit Training MCRD San Diego California in 1969 and retired at Marine Air Wing El Toro, California. But was then recalled from retirement during Desert Shield and Desert Storm build up and served from Feb 25, 1991, Communications Battalion Okinawa Japan until 03/24/1993 retiring again this time a Camp Pendelton, California/Okinawa, Japan. 

During Vietnam he served at the Embassy in Phnom Penh Cambodia from 05/1972 to 06/1973. 

He was awarded Combat Action Ribbon (Cambodia); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation; Navy Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation both the Gallantry Cross Medal and the Civil Action Medal. 

Larry married Mary Ann his wife of 22 years have resided in Huntington County. He has been a Past Post Commander of American Legion Post 85 (7 years). He has worked locally at Haynes Wheels and then Majestic; retiring in 2002 

As a community we need to stop and welcome all Vietnam Veterans Home, those who served in Vietnam and those who served elsewhere and especially those and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice. "Welcome Home".