McGovern Honors Worcester Vietnam Veteran Bob LaRose for Service with Army Medals

Worcester, MA, August 6, 2015

Today Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) honored Vietnam veteran Bob LaRose, a Worcester native who served two tours of duty before returning to Worcester to serve with the Worcester Fire Department for 40 years.

“Today we are proud to honor Bob LaRose, a Worcester native and Vietnam veteran, for a lifetime of service,” Congressman McGovern said. “When our Vietnam veterans returned home, medals were the last thing on their mind. Ceremonies like this are a wonderful opportunity for us to recognize their brave service.

“After Bob’s first tour of duty in Vietnam, he volunteered for a second tour so that his brother wouldn’t have to fight,” McGovern added. “When he returned home, Bob continued to serve our community as a Worcester firefighter and did so for 40 years from 1971 to 2011. With the medals we are presenting today, we express are deep gratitude for decades of truly selfless service to our community here in Worcester and to our country.”   

At today’s event, Congressman McGovern presented the following medals to LaRose:

  • Army Commendation Medal with three stars
  • Army Medal of Good Conduct (Two medals for serving twice)
  • Vietnam Service Medal with bronze star attachment (Two medals for serving twice)
  • Rep. Of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation
  • Expert Badge and Rifle Bar

LaRose enlisted to serve in the Vietnam war in 1967 and after his first tour, he volunteered to return to for a second tour when the Infantry Battalion was called up so that his brother wouldn’t have to fight. After returning from Vietnam, LaRose served as a Worcester firefighter for 40 years from 1971 to 2011.

LaRose also helped people with disabilities by contributing to the Carpenters Local 107 with their ramp program. Since 2006 this program has built 137 ramps for disabled people in Worcester County. LaRose also volunteers every other Wednesday with the Friends of Treasure Island Program working on carpentry projects. LaRose lives in Worcester and has four adult children; Bobby, Brian, Michelle, and Tim; and eight grandchildren.

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