By Deborah Larsen
A.J. Largent
A.J. Largent was born in Rochester, Michigan, on August 25, 1920, the son of Jack and Sylvie McKinstry Largent. A.J. attended Rochester High School and graduated in the class of 1939. Before the war, he worked at Pontiac Motors.
In February 1942, A. J. enlisted in the U.S. Army. He trained as a paratrooper at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was sent overseas in late 1944, serving with the 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. A. J. received a commission as a second lieutenant in January 1945. He was released from active military service in May 1946, but continued to serve in the Michigan National Guard.
After the war, A.J. and his wife, Lucy, raised a family in Oakland County. A.J. worked in the auto industry and retired from General Motors. Sadly, A.J. and Lucy lost their son, U.S. Army SP4 John A. Largent, in Vietnam in 1970. The Largents later retired in West Branch, Michigan.
A.J. Largent died at age 85 on February 3, 2006, and was laid to rest in White Chapel Cemetery.