Small Excerpt From the Life of 2nd Lt. Larry Bleeker
1967 · Not On Label · USA
- Artist
- 2nd Lt. Larry Bleeker
- Title
- Small Excerpt From the Life of 2nd Lt. Larry Bleeker
- Release
- I Found the Answer
- Year
- 1967
- Label
- Not On Label
- Format
- LP · Album
- Language
- English
- Country
- USA
- Genre
- Spoken Word · Spoken Word
- Primary theme
- US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs
Annotation — US Military & Veteran Songs
There is no label, number, location, or date - it was probably released in 1968, the year of his memorial service, in Ames, Iowa. It featured spoken-word and church music. Larry Bleeker was killed in action, in Quảng Trị province on 26 October 1967, after only six weeks of duty. (1) (2) Only two track titles, the a-side "A Small Excerpt From the Life of 2nd Lt. Larry Bleeker, a Young Man Who Found the Answer", and the b-side, "Memorial Service for 2nd Lt. Larry Bleeker". The a-side consists of two "homemade" recordings, the first by Bleeker in the US speaking about religion, he then sings a song which references Vietnam, and talks about heading out to war. The second recording Bleeker made in Vietnam, addressed to his parents, describing his experiences in Saigon etc. The b-side is a recording from his family's church memorial service. The minister comments on Vietnam, criticising the anti-war movement.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Subject of memorial recordings rather than a performing artist: 2nd Lt. Larry Dean Bleeker, USMC (21 June 1943 - 26 October 1967), of Ames, Iowa; platoon commander with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, killed in action near Gio Linh, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam; buried Ames Municipal Cemetery. The records preserve his memorial service and excerpts of his own recorded messages. [Source: Find a Grave / VVMF Wall of Faces / Iowa State Daily]