Colonel (Retired) Larry B. Berrong
Larry Berrong was born August 13, 1941, in Madison, Georgia. He graduated from Chamblee High School in 1959 and came to East Tennessee State on a football scholarship. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and Scabbard and Blade. He graduated in 1963 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, for active duty in February 1964 where he graduated from Infantry Officer Basic, Airborne School and Ranger School. He was assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division, which became the 1st Air Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). He deployed with the 1st Cav to Viet Nam in August 1965 as an Infantry Platoon Leader. After seven months. His Infantry detail was completed and he was reassigned as a Military Police (MP) Platoon Leader to the 716th MP Battalion in Saigon. He served his second Viet Nam tour in 1969-1970 as an S-2 first with the 16th MP Group in Nha Trang and then the 18th MP Brigade in Long Bien.
Colonel Berrong served in a variety of Military Police assignments during his 28-year career. They include: Deputy Provost Marshal, 82nd Airborne Division; XO, 503rd MP Battalion; Commander, Hawaii District Criminal Investigation Division; Commander, 720th MP Battalion; Director of Physical Security, Office of the Provost Marshal, US Army Europe; Commandant of the United States Disciplinary Barracks, and Assistant Commandant of the US Army Military Police School.
In addition to the schools mentioned above, he graduated from the US Army War College, Command and General Staff College, MP Officer Advanced, Brigade and Battalion Command Courses, and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Georgia in Public Administration.
Colonel Berrong retired in 1992 and enjoyed a civilian career with Wackenhut Services, Inc., retiring in 2006 as a Senior Vice-President. His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings, Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (w/2OLC); Bronze Star w/OLC, Meritorious Service Medal w/3OLC. Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) w/OLC and various service medals.
Colonel Berrong has been married to his wife, Carolyn (also an ETSU graduate) for 56 years. They have two daughters, Trish and Lori. Lori and her husband Davis Lefkowitz have two sons, Adam (15) and Jason (12).