Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Private First Class Larry Gene Ratliff, a brave U.S. Marine who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He was just 20 years old.
A resident of Louisa, Kentucky, PFC Ratliff served with unwavering commitment as a Rifleman (MOS 0311) with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force.
At the time of his death, PFC Ratliff was deployed in the Quang Nam Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.
Beginning his tour in Vietnam on Oct. 14, 1968, PFC Ratliff’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Marine who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.
PFC Ratliff’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W37, Line 59, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
To learn more about PFC Ratliff and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.
If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to PFC Ratliff or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.
