BURBANK, Calif. — On Saturday, April 17, the city officials in Burbank dedicated and renamed a park in honor of Cpl. Larry L. Maxam.
Then-President Richard Nixon awarded Maxam the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in 1968 during the Vietnam War.
After enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1965, Maxam was promoted to lance corporal before arriving in Vietnam. He served as a rifleman, radioman and squad leader before being promoted to corporal.
While participating in Operation Kentucky on Feb. 2, 1968, he was killed in action at Cam Lo District Headquarters in Quang Tri Province Vietnam.
His actions on that day were described by Nixon as "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty."
Maxam has also been the recipient of the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal and other Vietnam military medals.
The current commanding officer of Maxam's unit was scheduled to speak, including detailing how his unit honors Maxam each year by awarding a Marine the Maxam Award. TV host and Marine R. Lee Ermey will also speak, along with a full military funeral detail including the flag presentation to the family and a 21-gun salute. Pacific Park was dedicated and renamed the Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park.
Maxam was a member of the Burbank Ward at the time of his death in 1968.