Claude A. Larkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claude Arthur Larkin
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| Born | June 21, 1891 Garfield, Washington |
| Died | November 2, 1969 (aged 78) Riverside, California |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1915–1946 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Marine Aircraft Group 21 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Air, West Coast 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Battles/wars | Banana Wars |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (3) Purple Heart |
Claude Arthur Larkin (born June 21, 1891 – died November 2, 1969) was a brave and important leader in the United States Marine Corps. He reached the high rank of lieutenant general during his long career. He is especially remembered for his courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II.
Early Life and Marine Corps Start
Claude A. Larkin was born in Garfield, Washington, on June 21, 1891. He joined the Marine Corps on December 21, 1915. His first assignment was on the USS Oklahoma. He soon attended Officer Candidates School. He became a second lieutenant on July 6, 1917.
Larkin served in Cuba from 1917 to 1918. He also served in Haiti in the 1920s. Later, he traveled to China aboard the USS Chaumont. He stayed in China from 1927 to 1929.
On April 6, 1930, he finished flight training. This happened at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. He then served in the Virgin Islands. He also attended more training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. He studied at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, too.
Heroism at Pearl Harbor
By December 1941, Larkin was a lieutenant colonel. He was in charge of Marine Aircraft Group 21. This group was based at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa in Oahu, Hawaii.
On December 7, 1941, Larkin was driving to the airfield. Suddenly, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began. Japanese planes attacked his car twice on the road. Even with these close calls, he reached the airfield safely.
When he arrived, he saw that all the aircraft were destroyed. He immediately started organizing defenses. During this, he was attacked a third time. He was wounded in his hand, leg, and foot. But he refused medical help. He kept directing the defenses, showing great bravery.
After the attack, Larkin was promoted to colonel. In October 1942, he became a brigadier general. In November 1943, he received the Legion of Merit. This award recognized his important service as a senior Marine aviator during the first eight months of World War II.
Later Service and Retirement
From December 1943 to April 1944, Larkin led the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. He was promoted to major general. He then commanded Marine Fleet Air, West Coast. This was from March to July 1945. He also led the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from August to October 1945.
Larkin was promoted to lieutenant general. He retired from the Marines on March 1, 1946. He had served for over 30 years. Claude A. Larkin passed away on November 2, 1969. He died at the Air Force Base Hospital in Riverside, California.
