With this letter, we wish to fondly remember a former Delaware State College student who gave his life for our country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps on his duty day off in Vietnam.
His name is Capt. Larry Fletcher Potts from Smyrna, Delaware, and he was a graduate of Delaware State College, now Delaware State University.
The late Capt. Potts, along with his close friend, Charles “Butch” Hammond, joined the U.S. Marine Corps earlier and had to wait for graduation in 1969 to receive his commission. Dressed in the Marine Corps’ white uniforms, they stood out from the other grads, who wore the cap and gown. They were easy to spot as they received their diplomas and commissions from the U.S. Marine Corps.
Shortly after graduation, they were on their way to their Marine Corps duty stations. Marine Corps Officer Larry Fletcher Potts was trained and assigned to Vietnam to reconnoiter the Viet Cong as an aircrew member of a small aircraft. He directed ground-based fire on enemy positions.
It is said that, on his day off, Capt. Potts volunteered to help spot the enemy and direct ground-based fire to them. On this occasion, Capt. Potts and his pilot received a direct enemy hit on their aircraft, causing both men to abandon it. Capt. Potts was captured and is reported to have died in Vietnam.
Capt. Larry Fletcher Potts’ name and other military information are all over the internet. The stories of his courage and commitment are documented. The citizens of Delaware and especially Smyrna are proud to have had Capt. Potts as a native son.
The same sentiment is extended from yours truly, as Larry represented Delaware State College and is still representing Delaware State University as a favored son. At some future date, the John H. Porter chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., located in Dover, Delaware, will work to properly display his name on the Tuskegee Airmen Plaza on campus.
Don Blakey
President, John H. Porter 1st State chapter of Tuskegee Airmen
Dover
