continuously through heavy snow and bitter cold against a desperate German army trying to avoid the destruction of the Third Reich. 

As WW II was ending, the 508^th PIR was alerted to jump into Germany to rescue allied prisoners-of-war. However, attacking allied forces over-ran the prisoner-of-war camps and liberated the prisoners before the 508^th PIR could execute any of the missions.

The war ended in Europe and the regiment was returned to Sissonne to await orders. The wait was short. 

The 508^th PIR was selected for Occupation duty as security forces and honor guards for General Eisenhower's Supreme Headquarters. The regiment quickly moved to Heddernheim, a suburb of Frankfurt, Germany and performed its elite functions. 

During combat in Holland, our Assistant Platoon Leader said ‘Rock, Larry Palmer is one of the coolest men in combat that I have ever seen.’ A few years later I asked Larry about his being cool under fire -- he said ‘Rock, I was scared to death, I just didn't want my men to see how really scared I was!’  

Rock concluded the eulogy. “In my home state Oklahoma, we had a great man named Will Rogers who once said ‘I never met a man that I didn't like.’ 

I can say without reservation, that I never heard Larry Palmer say a bad word about any other human being. He was a great man and a cherished friend.”

Larry Palmer was a "company" man. When-ever he could he went the extra step to enhance the welfare of his comrades.  For example, in Heddernheim, Germany (Hq1's billet area) Larry organized and managed a "winning" First Battalion baseball team. He planned and developed the playing field, acquired (scrounged) the equipment, recruited the players and coached the team.

Larry Palmer –The Manager