Larry Fairchild

December 16, 1943 - March 3, 2004

CAPT Lawrence V. Fairchild, USN (Ret), age 60, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at his residence in Chula Vista, California.
He was born December 16, 1943 in Campbell, Nebraska, the oldest of three sons of Lenus V. and Ardene B. (Robinson) Fairchild.

Captain Fairchild was a 1962 graduate of Rock Island High School, Illinois. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1966 with a Bachelor€™s Degree in Journalism and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy through its NROTC program. He graduated from Air Force Command and Staff College and earned his MBA from Auburn University in 1978.

He began his naval career as Fire Control Officer for USS Canberra (CAG-2). Subsequent assignments included: Gunnery Officer aboard USS Jouett (CG-29) and Senior Junk Force Advisor to Coastal Group 23, Song Cau, Republic of Vietnam. He served as weapons officer to USS Whipple (FF-1062), Executive officer aboard USS Brewton (FF-1086) and Commanding Officer, USS Towers (DDG-9). Other positions included Placement Officer in the Naval Military Personnel Command, speech writer to the Chief of Naval Operations, Ordnance Advisor with the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Tehran, Iran, Staff Anti-Submarine Officer and Staff Planning Officer. He retired from active duty during August of 1992.

Captain Fairchild was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (Bronze Star) and the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), among others.

Survivors include two brothers, Alan C. (Vickie) Fairchild of Plymouth, Wisconsin, and Mark D. (Sarah) Fairchild of Lincoln, Nebraska. Nieces and nephews are Margaret and Michael Fairchild of Lincoln, Nebraska and Jessica Fairchild-Jens of Mazomanie, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska, with a partial scattering of ashes over the site of his former command, USS Towers, which was sunk during missile exercises in the Pacific Ocean following its decommissioning.