Larry was born and raised in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Harriton High School and the Pennsylvania Military College, now Widener University. He has a degree in English Literature and a minor in Military Science. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June of 1963.

He completed his military service and retired in April of 1970 as a Captain. He received his wings as a helicopter pilot in September of 1966 and served as a combat helicopter pilot from September 1966 until February 1968. He flew a total of 650 combat missions. Some of his awards are: 25 Air Medals, one for Valor, the Bronze Star, 3 Purple Hearts, the Valorous Unit Award for extraordinary heroism, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor.

He was also awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, twice. During his flying career he amassed a total of 4,500 hours of flight time and held an Airline Transport Rating in Helicopters and Single and Multi Engine Airplanes.

Most recently [2012-2014] he was recommended for the Medal of Honor for a mission flown on May 14th 1967. Some supporting this award for his participation in the Cau Song Be Rescue Mission flown on May 14th 1967; are Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, the then, Congressman Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Congressman Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania, Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Congressman Steve Pearce of New Mexico.

In 2009, the BBC produced an award winning, four part series, entitled "Helicopter Warfare." One of the episodes called "Vietnam Firefight," features one of Larry's missions and has been seen all over the world. This one hour episode was shown in the States in November and December of 2010 and continues to be shown throughout the World in 2014.

During his distinguished, and multi-faceted, business career, he founded the Flightways Corporation, a well known regional air carrier, which he sold to Fed Ex in 1975. He later became President of the Diversified Environmental Corporation, a 150 million dollar division of the LVI Group, a billion dollar, NYSE Company.

After selling his interest in LVI in 1988, he went on to become a senior consultant, offering Executive Coaching, designed to create breakthrough thinking and producing extraordinary results, for senior corporate executives and managers of Fortune 1000 companies. Over his 45 years of leadership, training, development and coaching, he has worked with well over 16,000 individuals.

In 2011, Larry was voted in as a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Board of Directors.

Larry went into semi-retirement in September 2007. He continues to support a number of worthy causes. He is married to Celeste McQuade and has a 48 year old, married daughter, who lives in Los Angeles and works in the Film Industry along with her husband, Bob Goodman, a well known screen writer. Larry continues to be available for speaking engagements. He focuses on Honor, Leadership, Intention, Tenacity, Loyalty, Awareness and Kindness.

Larry can be reached, via his web site, www.larryliss.com