POW/MIA

Maj. Larry J. Hanley

 February 13, 1943 – February 6, 1979

 

 

 

Loss Coordinates:  172900 North  1055400 East                            Vietnam Memorial Wall Panel:  Panel 16W Row 29

  
   

Identification of Vietnam War Casualty from Walla Walla provides closure.
In a photo taken earlier in his U.S. Air Force career, Capt. Larry J. Hanley poses beside a T-38 aircraft. A Walla Walla resident, Hanley was lost in action while flying over Khammouan Province, Laos on Nov 4, 1969.  His remains were recently identified and will be given a burial with full military honors in Walla Walla this summer.  The photo was donated by Hanley’s mother to VFW Post 3377, located near Austin, Texas, after post members adopted Hanley to represent POW’s and MIA’s for all wars and all services.

Awards:

Distinguished Flying Cross w/Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal w/two  Silver Oak Leaf Clusters and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
* Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster denates second and subsequent award of the medal
** Silver Oak Leaf Cluster denotes five awards for the medal

Family members:
Darlene (Hanley) Allen
JoAnn (Hanley) Aliverti

 

 

WELCOME HOME BROTHER

Major Larry James Hanley

July 13, 2013

 

Major Hanley’s return home was a long and difficult journey.  It began on the morning of November 4, 1969 when Major Hanley’s F-105 Thurnderchief aircraft was downed over Laos.  For the next forty-three years, eight months and nine days the journey seemed endless.  With the effort of the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office along with the work of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Major Hanley’s remains were located and positively identified through DNA testing.

 

Major Hanley was returned to his family, and with the assistance of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center at Dover AFB Delaware, he was accorded a full military funeral service on July 13, 2013 in Walla Walla, Washington.

 

The POW/MIA motto of "YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN” rings truer and stronger with the repatriation of this American Hero.


     


 

In 2003 with efforts by Bill Reesman, VFW Post 3377 in Manchaca, Texas decided to create a POW/MIA Honor Wall in their Post Canteen.  The VFW membership voted to adopt Maj. Larry J. Hanley to represent all POW/MIA’s from all wars.  The wall was dedicated in September of that year with Darlene and her husband Greer (upper left photo) in attendance.