William Lawrence Whelan, 81, of Laguna Niguel, CA, passed away on January 9, 2011. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marines Corps, he served 27 years as a jet and helicopter pilot. He was the Marine helicopter pilot for Jacqueline Kennedy in Marine 2 and in Marine 1 for President Johnson. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he received two Distinguished Flying Crosses for the Tet offensive, Bronze Star, Air Medal with Combat V and 26 Strike/Flight Awards, and the Purple Heart.

Larry was born in South Kingston, RI, on July 5, 1929, and was a graduate of Boston College class of 1952. One sister, Peggy Keenan and his loving companion, Lillian Keane, survives him. Gifts in his memory may be made to St. Mary’s Hall, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA. [LA Times via www.legacy.com]