PHOTOS OF LARRY FROM HOMETOWN FRIENDS

More About Larry

Larry John Bauguess Jr was born in Wilkes County in December of 1970. He grew up playing a game that so many of our children play, baseball. He started with T-ball and played the community league teams all through his youth. He played on the Junior Varisty and Varsity baseball teams at Wilkes Central High School 1987 through 1989. Then he went on to college at Appalachian State University.

However, when baseball didn't work out at college, he thought maybe his athletic career was over. Walking across campus one day, he saw the ROTC students rappelling down the side of a building. That moment changed his life, and he decided that the US Army was a new team to which become dedicated. He was known to take a bat, a ball, and two gloves with him on deployments all over the world.

On May 14th, Major Larry J. Baugess, Jr. was killed in Pakistan after helping conduct a meeting to abritrate a border dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He had been working with NATO and using international leadership skills on a global scale. He was a highly decorated soldier, a devoted family man, and an individual who would always give everyone he met encouragement and inspiration. He was the highest ranking officer from Wilkes County to die in service since the Civil War.

That is why we are asking for your help creating a memorial at the Wilkes Central Senior High baseball field,…so we can remember and honor the ultimate sacrifice of a highly decorated member of our community.

Larry is survived by his wife, Wesley, and two beautiful girls, Ryann and Ellie. He also leaves behind a younger brother, Terry; a younger sister, Laura; and his parents John and Martha. He also leaves behind countless soldiers, classmates, teamates and friends who have been made better people because of his involvement in their lives.

Awards And Commendations

Awards and Decorations Include:
Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Ranger Tab

Military Schools Completed:
Infantry Officer's Basic Course
Air Assault Course
Ranger Course
Strategic Mobile Planning
Infantry Officer's Advanced
U.S. Army Jumpmaster
Command and General Staff College

Junior Year in High School

Playing on the Cub Creek Baptist Church Softball Team

At 2004 WCHS reunion

No. 15 on the WCHS Varsity Baseball Team

A Team Player In His Own Words:

From Larry's Sophmore Year with the Wilkes Central Junior Varisty Baseball Team:

"We had a strong team in more ways than one, because when we were down we stuck together. I was proud to be a member of this year's team."

From Larry's Junior Year with the Wilkes Central Varisty Baseball Team:

"The team had a rough time..., but we really pulled through a few times. Most of the losses were so close, they were really hard for us to deal with. We gave it our all whether we won or lost. "

When asked at the 2004 reunion of the class of 1989 what was his best memory of high school:

"Playing baseball"