Lloyd Henderson

WW II Master Gunnery Sergeant E 9 United States Marine Corps

Lloyd Ovid Henderson, was born on, February 19, 1926, in Grand Valley, OK. to James Elmer and Lyla Ethel (Ricker) Henderson. Lloyd attended grade school at Liberal, Kansas. In 1941 Lloyd went to California with his sister and brother in law where he worked as a carpenter with a construction company and was a bell hop and elevator operator at the Arrowhead Spring Hotel in San Bernardino California. He then Returned to Laverne Oklahoma in 1942 and worked at Milligans Bakery until February 1943. At the age of 17, he was not old enough to enlist in World War II, so his mother Lyla had to sign, giving him permission to enlist. May 18, 1943 through December 1944 in the 1 ^st , 2 ^nd and 4 ^th Marine Air wings in World War II, capturing the major island of Guam. He returned to the United States in 1944 having served 14 months in the Pacific. Lloyd completed his high school GED while stationed at Quantico, VA in 1945. (In April 1, 2002 Lloyd and two other friends, received their Diplomas Graduates of Laverne High School Board of Education.) During the Korean War he and 20 other service men detailed the Marine Security Detachment, who were responsible for the evacuation of the American Embassy of Seoul, Korea in June of 1950. It took 3 days to evacuate everyone to safety. Lloyd and Roberta Joan (Foster) were united in marriage on July 1952, they were blessed with one daughter Pamela and two sons Lloyd and Charles. Lloyd served from April 1967 to November 1968 in Viet Nam, where he was injured in November 1968 during a rocket attack on the First Marine Air Wing Headquarters at Da Nang, Vietnam. Lloyd returned to the Fleet Reserves in May 1970 and was honorably discharged on May 31, 1973 after 30 years of service to his country. Lloyd received several awards during his 30 years of service: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 1 silver and 2 bronze stars, Korean Service Medal with 1 silver and 1 bronze star, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze star, Navy Commendation Medal with “V”, Navy Occupation SVC Medal w Asia clasp, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with 1 bronze star, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 silver and 1 bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, Marine Corps Sharpshooter Pistol Badge, Marine Corps Expert Rifle Badge, Rep of Korea Presidential Unit Citation – Foreign, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal – Foreign, Rep Vietnam MUC Gallantry Cross – Foreign, Honorable Service Lapel Button, Marine Security Guard Ribbon, and Republic of Korea War Service Medal – Foreign. Lloyd returned to California where he married Callie “Tiny” Gillespie Koch in October of 1976. Lloyd and Tiny made there home in Chula Vista from 1976 to 1980. Lloyd and Tiny returned to Laverne, Oklahoma in April of 1981 where they made their permanent residence. Lloyd had the honor of being Grand Marshall of the Fourth of July parade several times. Lloyd also received the Man of the year for Laverne. Lloyd loved to go cat fishing and helping others.

Lloyd was a member of the Laverne-Buffalo American Legion Post 273 and Veteran of Foreign Wars.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, Tiny in February 1992, Brothers James E Henderson Jr. and Robert Dale Henderson, Sisters Audrey Nadine Gabbard, and Gladys Juanita Merriman. Lloyd leaves as his survivors daughter Pamela Uribe of San Bernardine, two sons Lloyd F Henderson of Crookston, Minnesota, and Charles E Henderson of Barnesville, Minnesota, sister Maxine Wynn of Highland California, 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. Lloyd went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at the Woodward Regional Hospital, Woodward, Oklahoma. Lloyd will be missed by his family, marine family, and many friends.