Smithfield, NC, US
U.S. Army
SFC, Army Mountain Warfare School
8/8/2011, Enosburg, USA
SFC Larry “Randy” Garner died unexpectedly at his home Monday morning, August 8 2011, in Enosburg VT. He was born in Smithfield, NC on January 14th 1970 to Larry and Judy Garner.
SFC Garner was a highly accomplished Soldier with 18 years of active duty service and 23 years of military service. He served in Panama, Somalia and Afghanistan. He served with the 3/75th Ranger Regiment and was currently serving as the Operations NCO at the Army Mountain Warfare School, and previously was employed as an instructor at the AMWS and the VTARNG Infantry Training Branch with many accomplishments in training Soldiers in Danali, Argentina, Uzbekistan and other various mountains throughout the world. He was also a highly accomplished Sniper having graduated from the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, JFK SP Warfare School Instructor Training Course, FT Benning, GA and was currently working towards establishing a Mountain Sniper training course for the US Army. His training encompassed many highly skilled aspects within the Army to include; High Angle Rescue, Meaford, Ontario, Canada, Tactical Training-Urban Operations, High Risk Personnel Security, Sniper Employment Leader Course, Tactical Tracking Operations School, Ft Huachuca, AZ, Rigging for Rescue, Jericho, VT, Mountain Sniper Course, Bridgeport, CA, Winter Assault Climber Course, AMWS, Jericho, VT.
His awards and decorations include; Ranger Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Rams Head Device, The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters’, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal – 2, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3,Good Conduct Medal – 4, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal – 2, Army Reserves Component Overseas Training Ribbon – 3, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Expert Infantry Badge, Vermont Duty Ribbon – 3, Vermont Service Ribbon – 2, Vermont Good Conduct Ribbon – 3, Vermont Outstanding Unit Award.
Randy was survived by his wife of 19 years, Michelle; three children, Lauren, Lorenzo, and Logan; father and mother, Larry and Judy Garner; brother, Allen.