Fallen Soldier: Samuel W. Large, Jr.

Lance Corporal Samuel W. Large, Jr., 21, of Villa Rica, Ga., was assigned to the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Air Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force in New River, N.C., and served during Operation Enduring Freedom. On February 17, 2006, LCpl. Large was killed while flying a training mission near Ras Siyyan, Dijbouti.

When LCpl. Large enlisted as a student at Villa Rica High School, he was only 17 and his mother was reluctant to sign. Lcpl. Large begged her to sign so he would be guaranteed the job he wanted, so she did. He excelled quickly and became a Crew Chief on a CH-53 Heavy Lift helicopter. Lcpl. Large was deployed to help relief efforts during Hurricane Katrina and sent to Dijbouti as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

“Sam loved serving his country as a Marine,” a family friend said. “He had an infectious personality. He will remain in our hearts and souls forever. As long as he is remembered, he will never truly be gone. We love and miss him every day.”

LCpl. Large’s son is a Folds of Honor Scholarship recipient.