Laurence Richard Medlin – Colonel, United States Marine Corps

From a contemporary press report:

Colonel Laurence Richard Medlin, USMC, Retired) age 60, of North Carolina, formerly of Falls Church, Virginia, died on Tuesday, May 25, 1999 at home; he was the son of Mrs. Maudie Brandriff Craver of Concord and the late C.W. Medlin.

Colonel Medlin was educated at the United States Military Academy, West Point, Class of 1963. He also received a BS in Engineering from George Washington University, and an MBA in Financial Management. He also attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia; and the Marine CorpsBasic School, Quantico, Virginia.

Colonel Medlin received the Legion of Merit; the Distinguished Flying Cross (Vietnam); Bronze star with Combat ”V” (Vietnam); the Meritorious Service Medal; the Air Medal, 61 awards (Vietnam, Beirut); Combat Action Ribbon, two awards (Vietnam, Beirut); the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star; the Lebanese Order of Cedars, Officer Class; and the Alfred A. Cunningham Aviator of the Year Award 1984.

Colonel Medlin retired January 31, 1989 after 31 years of  service; five enlisted and 26 commissioned. After retirement he was employed with Wheat First Union serving as Vice-President-Investment Officer and received numerous outstanding service commitment client awards.

He is also survived by one daughter, Mrs. Jennifer Medlin Bracken, Elkridge, Maryland; two sons, Laurence Richard ”Larry” Medlin, II, San Antonio, Texas and Captain Christopher Laurence Medlin, Jacksonville, North Carolina; one sister, Mrs. Shirley M. Hudson, Concord; one brother, Ronnie M. Whitley, Yorba Linda, California; and seven grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, June 17 at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 200-145 Medical Park Dr., Concord, NC 28025.

MEDLIN, LAURENCE RICHARD

• COL   US MARINE CORPS
• VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 06/05/1957 – 01/31/1989
• DATE OF BIRTH: 05/12/1939
• DATE OF DEATH: 05/25/1999
• DATE OF INTERMENT: 06/17/1999
• BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 5341
• ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard