Larry Bruno was born on September 7, 1923 behind his fathers shoe repair shop on
   Wabash Avenue. His Father, Anthony, came directly from Italy and started his own
   business in 1915. He shared part of the shop with his brother who was a tailor. 
   They made their own wine in the back just like the old country.
   
   In the early days Larry's dad made many trips to Clinton where there 
   were many other Italian immigrants living. It was in Clinton where Anthony 
   met a pretty Sicilian named Maria Caly. They fell in love, married and lived 
   in the rear of the shoe repair shop.
   
   Larry had a brother, now deceased, and a sister, still living. 
   Larry attended grade school at St. Benedicts and graduated from 
   Gerstmeyer High School in 1941. While in High School Larry joined 
   the band where he played the clarinet.
   
   After graduation Larry moved in with his aunt in Chicago while working 
   in a local factory. It was on a Sunday morning on December 7, 1941, 
   while removing wallpaper in his aunt's house that word was received of the 
   attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

   Larry felt as many other young men did, that he should do what ever he could
   to defend his country. He registered for the draft in Chicago and returned 
   to Terre Haute with the intention of enlisting in the Marines. 
   He felt that they are the best-trained and led outfit in the military.
   
   Unfortunately, the quota for the Marines locally was filled. He waited, 
   but was determined to join the Marines. He found out that if you get drafted 
   you may be able pick your service branch. He made contact with the draft 
   board where he was told to go to Evansville selective service screening. 
   It was there where he was able to join the Marines.

   In a short time he received his orders to report to Indianapolis for 
   indoctrination on April 18, 1943. He attended Boot Camp at San Diego, 
   California. He was also trained at Camp Elliot and Camp Pendleton where 
   he was assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion,and 23rd. Regiment 
   of the 4th. Marine Division. 
   He was then transferred to Headquarters and Service Company R-2 Section.

   Marine Bruno saw action many times throughout the Pacific Islands. 
   In 1944 he faced enemy forces on Roi Namur, Saipan, and Tin ian. 
   In 1945 he was in the third wave of the landing force to take Iwo Jima. 
   It was known at the time that the Japanese let the first wave or two land 
   before opening up on the enemy. One of the greatest memories Larry has of 
   Iwo Jima was actually seeing that famous American flag being raised on top
   of the mountain.

   Larry's first landing in the Marshall Islands was to protect an airfield. 
   His position was in a line of defense along a large lagoon separating two 
   small islands. It was here that he made his first kill.
   It was dark and scary out there in that foxhole. It was then that he heard 
   something or saw someone crawling up to him. He didn't want to give his 
   position away, so he fixed bayonet. He plunged forward and realized he had just
   killed a large red lobster.

   While serving on Saipan a tank crew member called out his name Lawrence. 
   He knew of only one other person that called him by that name, a friend of his 
   from Terre Haute. They were both very happy to see one another. It was some time 
   later on Tin ian that Larry saw the same tank badly damaged after running 
   over a land mine. He went to the aid station to inquire of the crew and was told 
   that his friend was badly burned and sent back to the States. He did survive and 
   Larry will still see him in church on Sunday's.

   Larry was lucky during his time in the South Pacific, other than some shrapnel
   cuts he wasn't seriously wounded. He was highly decorated and returned home
   to Camp Pendleton in 1945. He was discharged from the Marines at Great Lakes
   on November 9, 1945. Larry returned to Terre Haute and attended Indiana State
   University majoring in accounting.

   Larry's Dad passed away peacefully on Christmas morning 1946 in his sleep after
   attending mid-night mass with his family. Shortly afterwards in 1947 Larry took
   over the shoe repair business in order to support the family. He is still there,
   four days a week servicing his customers. He is one of the most active members
   of the Joseph A. Bray Detachment #471 Marine Corps League. He is living proof

   that "Once a Marine...Always a Marine".

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