Brothers from Dalton killed in Vietnam honored with memorial highway

DALTON − Two brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country have been recognized with a road renaming in Wayne County.

A section of West Lebanon Road, between US Route 30 and the north end of Goudy Road, has been dedicated to the brothers and is now known as LCpl. Larry Porter and Pvt. Roy Porter Memorial Highway.

Wayne County commissioners recently read a proclamation announcing the change and honoring the Porter brothers of Dalton who both were killed during combat in the Vietnam War.

According to honorstates.org, Marine Lance Corporal Larry Porter was killed on June 6, 1968, when the helicopter he was aboard was shot down in the Quang Tri province. His brother, Marine Private First Class Roy Porter, died on Aug. 31, 1969, through hostile action from artillery fire in the Quang Nam province.

The segment of the road dedicated to them wash chosen because it is in the area where the brother grew up, according to Andy Jones, assistant Wayne County engineer.

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The Porter family submitted a request to honor the brothers. As sister-in-law Dottie Porter notes,

"We call them forever 19, since they were both killed at the age of 19," said Dottie Porter, a sister-in-law to the brothers.

Jerry Porter, the oldest of the three Porter brothers, attended the dedication. He also was serving in Vietnam and was on board a helicopter to visit Larry when he was taken off the flight and told Larry had been killed.

“It was gut-wrenching news,” he recalled. “I came home soon after that, and a year later, Roy was killed over there. It was tough. Our mom died at 53, and I think the loss of two of her sons may have contributed to her early death.”

Jerry Porter recalled growing up with his brothers in Dalton, and he described themselves as “outdoor types that spent a lot of time playing sports, hunting, and fishing” before each of them enlisted in the military to serve their country.

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“This dedication really means a lot to me,” Jerry Porter said. “It means Roy and Larry will not be forgotten.”

Larry Porter was one of 13 casualties when a helicopter crashed June 6, 1968, in the Quang Tri province of South Vietnam. The helicopter was shot before crashing, exploding and rolling down the side of the mountain. He served in the Marines for 10 months and wanted to be a farmer when he returned home from service.

Roy Porter, who wanted to avenge his brother's according to Dottie Porter, died Aug. 31, 1969, when he took rocket mortar to the head.

Ohio State Sen. Al Landis was among those spearheading the plan to dedicated the road.

"Road namings are very important. We're talking about young men or women who made sacrifices for their country," Landis said. "Whenever we get a chance to recognize veterans for the state of Ohio, we want to take advantage of it."

Many sections of state and county roads in Ohio have been named for state war veterans, according to Landis.

"Everyone knew the name Porter in the Dalton community, and the Porter family knew everyone," said Dalton VFW Quartermaster Daniel Santmyer. "All the veterans from Dalton will be incorporated in a general memorial."

Both Porters were recognized for their service with multiple honors, including a Purple Heart, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.

Larry Porter is buried at Sunset Hills Burial Park in Canton and both brothers are memorialized on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington. DC.

The road dedication was held Oct. 20. A sign that measures 24 inches tall by 48 inches wide, in the standard Ohio Department of Transportation brown color, was placed along the roadway.

The Porter family stood by as the Wayne County Commissioners Ron Amstutz, Sue Smail and Jonathan Hofstetter read a proclamation announcing the renaming.

“The sense of well-being, freedom, and love of country that we enjoy are the result of personal sacrifice and ongoing vigilance by the United States Armed Forces,” read Commissioner Sue Smail from the proclamation. “It is the government’s responsibility and privilege to honor and encourage everyone to respect those who have served throughout history, for they are our most precious asset.”

Nate Powalie is a freelance writer for The Daily Record and Dan Starcher is public communications coordinator for the Wayne County government.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Dalton brothers killed in Vietnam honored with memorial highway