Camp Pendleton Marine killed while carrying wounded comrade to safety

The body of Marine Cpl. Larry Harris arrives at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Photo: Associated Press.

No greater love.

The body of Cpl. Larry Harris Jr., 24, a Camp Pendleton Marine killed in Afghanistan, has been returned to the U.S. and to his family in Colorado.

And the details of Harris' heroism are beginning to emerge.

Harris, a mortar man, was killed July 1 while on combat patrol in Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold. His patrol was ambushed and Lance Cpl. Jake Henry was wounded.

Harris was carrying Henry to safety outside the "kill zone." Brian Henry, the lance corporal's father, wrote on a Facebook page for family members of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment:

"He was carrying my son when he tripped an explosive device. His life was lost but my son lives. [Our] prayers and love go out to the family of this hero who will never be forgotten by my family."

Harris took the brunt of the blast. He died instantly.

Harris' personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

A prayer service for Cpl. Harris has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at King Baptist Church, 3370 Ivy St. in Denver. Funeral services will be held some time next week.

Update, July 2011: Marine squad reunites to honor fallen brother killed carrying wounded comrade to safety