Larry Leanard Maxam - Medal of Honor

Cpl Larry Leanard Maxam, USMC, Vietnam
Larry Maxam's Burbank High School Photo

Corporal Larry Leonard Maxam, USMC, home of record is Glendale, California, but Larry who was born in Glendale, lived and grew up in Burbank, California. He was an avid Boy Scout enthusiast. He was initiated into scouting’s highest organization, the Order of the Arrow, while he was an Air Explorer.

He attended Emerson Grade School, John Muir Junior High and Burbank High School. His sophomore and junior picture are in the 1964 and 1965 Burbank High Ceralbus yearbook. His mother Alice described her son as a husky, beautiful boy. "He loved to go hiking in the hills with his friends. One time he hiked as far as Monrovia. He was quite an outdoors boy."

Larry is the one standing in the center facing the camera.

Larry Maxam left Burbank High shortly after his junior picture was taken in the end of 1964 and joined the Marine Corp. He trained at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, Jacksonville, Florida, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Officers Candidates School, Quantico, Virginia, and Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. He was promoted to private first class, April 1, 1966, and to lance corporal, January 1, 1967, Lance Corporal Maxam next served as a rifleman in the Caribbean, until May 1967.

In July 1967, he arrived in the Republic of Vietnam, and served as a rifleman, radioman, and squad leader with Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, and 3rd Marine Division. He was promoted to corporal, October 1, 1967. While participating in Operation Kentucky on February 2, 1968, he was killed in action at Cam Lo District Headquarters, Quang Tri Province.

Part of his Medal of Honor citation: "The Cam Lo District Headquarters came under heavy attack, with heavy rocket, artillery, mortar, and recoilless rifle fire from a numerically superior enemy force, destroying a portion of the defensive perimeter. Cpl Maxam proceeded to the weaken section of the perimeter. Completely exposed to the concentrated enemy fire, he sustained multiple fragmentation wounds from exploding grenades as he ran to an abandoned machine gun and commenced to deliver effective fire on the advancing enemy. As the enemy directed maximum fire power against the determined Marine, Corporal Maxam’s position received a direct hit from a rocket propelled grenade, knocking him backwards and inflicting severe fragmentation wounds to his face and right eye.

Vice President Spiro Agnew presents the Maxam family with a posthumous Medal of Honor for Marine Cpl. Larry L. Maxam on April 20, 1970. From left are Cpl. Maxam's mother Alice Maxam, brother Robin Maxam and in-law Sophie Ryan. (Courtesy of the Maxam family)

Although momentarily stunned and in intense pain, Corporal Maxam courageously resumed his firing position and subsequently was struck again by small arms fire. With resolute determination, he gallantly continued to deliver intense machine gun fire, causing the enemy to retreat through the defensive wire to positions of cover. In a desperate attempt to silence his weapon, the North Vietnamese threw hand grenades and directed recoilless rifle fire against him inflicting two additional wounds.

Too weak to reload his machine gun, Corporal Maxam fell to a prone position and valiantly continued to deliver effective fire with his rifle. After one and a half hours, during which he was hit repeatedly by fragments from exploding grenades and concentrated small arms fire, he succumbed to his wounds, having successfully defended nearly one half of the perimeter single-handedly."

Shortly after Larry’s death, his mother Alice took her two remaining children and left the country and moved to Australia, where they reside today. Alice Maxam died in 2008. Corporal Larry Leonard Maxam is buried in the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

In Memory Lee Freeman BHS 67,1948-2010

Lee Freeman, Burbank High, Class of 1967 and a band member of the 60's group Strawberry Alarm Clock passed away from cancer on February 14, 2010. Lee was one of my classmates. I did not know him in school. This is from his brother Doug BHS 1966.

Lee left us Sunday morning at 2:30 A.M. He died after a long bout with cancer. He put up a good fight for several years. I don't know of any service that will be held as of yet. Some of his band mates may be having a memorial soon.

For more info on the passing of Lee Freeman check out my fellow classmate Cathy Palmer's, Class of 1967 Blog Click HERE

Strawberry Alarm Clock Tribute to Lee Freeman

Lee's Virtual Cemetery at Find A Grave

Juliet Anderson, Porn Star, Adult Movie Producer

Judith Carr was born and grew up in Burbank, California, the daughter of a jazz trumpet player and an aspiring actress. She was afflicted with Crohn's disease and spent a sizable portion of her youth in the hospital or on bedrest. Graduating from Burbank High School in 1956 (where she was a straight-A student), she briefly attended Long Beach State College as an art major before relocating to Hayama, Japan with her then lover, a Navy sailor. A brief marriage to him did not work out, and Juliet spent the next eighteen years in various occupations, including teaching English to foreign students in Japan, Mexico, Greece and Finland. While teaching in Finland, she also worked as a radio producer. In 1963, while living in Miami, Anderson was secretary to a producer of "nudie" movies and a receptionist at the Burger King home office; she also worked for Avis during this period. In her website autobiography, she indicates that she appeared in an (unnamed) sexploitation film in 1963, portraying a police sergeant.

During this time, Anderson was known by her birthname of Judith Carr. She did not begin using the moniker "Juliet Anderson" until later in her adult film career, when she made the transition from 8mm productions to feature films. She has also used the stage names of Alice Rigby, Judy Callin, Ruby Sapphire, Judy Carr, Aunt Peg, Judy Fallbrook, and Judith Anderson.

After a further period overseas, Anderson returned to the United States during the early 1970s, and became involved in the pornography business while a student at San Francisco State University. She was working in advertising when she answered an ad by hardcore pornography producer Alex d’Renzy, who was looking for an actress. Cast in the movie Pretty Peaches, Juliet's career quickly took off from there. She acquired the name of "Aunt Peg" during a movie where she was portrayed as having sex with a niece, who cried out: "Oh, Aunt Peg!"; thus arose the moniker by which Anderson is best known to her fans. She appeared in several pornographic magazine pictorials during this timeframe, made appearances on radio and television, and operated a mail-order business, casting agency and a phone-sex service.

In 1984, Anderson chose to leave the adult film business due to differences between herself and producers regarding the editing of Educating Nina, a video she directed starring Nina Hartley. She moved to Northern California, where she ran a bed and breakfast for a time and opened a massage therapy office. Anderson chose to return to pornography in 1995, making new movies as an actress, producer and director.

By 2009, Anderson lived in Berkeley, California with four cats. She continued to work in the adult film industry, and had announced plans to produce new films. She also worked as a relationship counselor, giving private workshops for couples focusing on "Tender Loving Touch," in which sexual touching is seen as "play, not as foreplay." She contributed to the books The New Sexual Healers: Women of the Light and The Red Thread of Passion, and authored articles for magazines and newspapers.

Death
Anderson's body was discovered by a friend on the morning of January 11, 2010. The friend, Kevin Fong, stated that he arrived at Anderson's residence to take her to a doctor's appointment for a colonoscopy to help in the treatment of her Crohn's.

Donald Woods aka Ralph Zink, BHS 1925, Actor

A prolific actor with a 40-year career that included appearances in 98 plays, 150 television shows and 75 films, Donald Woods referred to himself as the "King of the Bs". He started out as a radio and stage actor. He was a pleasant, boyish leading man of the 1930s who later moved into mature character roles. Played Perry Mason in one of a series of Warner Brothers B pictures.

Born in Canada as Ralph L. Zink and raised in Burbank where he graduated from Burbank High School in 1925. At Burbank High he was a debater, athlete, Ceralbus Editor. The 1937 Burbank High Ceralbus theme was the “Spirit of Drama” and the Ceralbus was dedicated to Donald Woods. He wrote on the dedication page the following:

Prologue…Congratulations, Class of ’37, and thank you for the honor bestowed on me in this issue of the Ceralbus. Eleven years ago the writer left Burbank High School with a diploma tucked away in the bottom of a trunk. The diploma was carefully framed , but the notes were shoved away in storage. Eleven years later those notes, bound and classified, form an active part of my small library-but for the life of me I cannot find my diploma! How was I to know that five years later I would be making my living in the theater? That five years later my best friend would be a young doctor? That nine years later a complete analysis of the character of Charles Darnay would help me secure a part in a motion picture? My notes on Drama, Biology, and English were invaluable. Which all goes to prove, fellow students, that in my case a note or two in the hand was worth several diplomas on the wall!! Good Luck.” – Donald Woods, Editor of Ceralbus ‘25
He attended the University of California at Berkeley, and made his film debut in 1928. He legally changed his professional name in 1945 after having done many radio and stage productions and appearing in the features "Sweet Adeline" (1934) and "A Tale of Two Cities" (1935). Woods hosted two 1950s television series, "The Orchid Award" and "Hotel Cosmopolitan" and was a regular on the series "Tammy". Known primarily for his western and whodunit work, Woods also guest starred on "Wagon Train" (NBC) and "The Wild, Wild West" (CBS). His last movie was in 1969 True Grit, starring John Wayne.

Woods retired from acting in 1976 and become a successful real estate broker in Palm Springs, California, where he lived with his wife, childhood sweetheart Josephine Van der Horck. They were married from 1933 until his death on Thursday, March 05, 1998, in Palm Springs, California at the age of 91 of Cardiopulmonary Failure. They had two children, Linda and Conrad (Conrad became a tennis pro and modern painter). His grave is located at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California.

Donald Woods Personal Quote: “I try to do at least one play per year whatever else I’m doing – such as selling $300,000 worth of real estate in Palm Springs.”



To read more about Donald Woods and to see all his movies and televsion series he appeared in and to watch video clips to some of his movies , click here Imdb Data Base

Burbank High's Blake Lively Steals Emmy Show

2005 Burbank High School graduate, actress Blake Livley of the hit television show "Gossip Girl" stoled the show at the 2009 Emmy's with her red Versace very revealing dress.

Freddie Sanchez Traded To The Giants

BASEBALL: After weeks of speculation, the Burbank High graduate is delt from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
By Gabriel Rizk, Burbank Leader
Published: July 30, 2009

BURBANK— Persistent rumors that swirled around baseball since prior to the All-Star break regarding a likely trade of Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants were finally validated on Wednesday.
The three-time All-Star and former National League batting titlist was swapped for Double-A starting pitcher Tim Alderson in a move announced shortly after Sanchez’s new club completed a three-game sweep of his former one with a 1-0 10-inning victory at AT&T Park.
"It’s crazy," Sanchez, who played at Glendale Community College, told espn.com of the surrexperience of saying farewell to his Pirates teammates in the visitors’ clubhouse, then walking down the hall to the Giants’ clubhouse to join his new team. "I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s a little crazy, a little hectic. I’m here for a reason."
Sanchez, 31, who is under contract through next season, is expected to slide into the No. 2 hole in the Giants’ batting order as the everyday second baseman.
San Francisco continues its seven-game homestand with the first of four games against the Philadelphia Phillies today, but it may be some time yet before Sanchez makes his Giants debut.
An inflamed left knee has kept Sanchez off the field since Sunday and nearly prevented the trade from happening. But the Giants medical staff reportedly examined the knee again on Wednesday before completing the trade and found noticeable improvement. He is currently listed as day to day.
"It’s tough coming to a new team not knowing if you can play or not," Sanchez said to espn.com. "That’s the last thing you want to do is come to a new team and be in the trainer’s room. I want to get there as soon as I can, but I also want to be smart about it."
Sanchez batted .344 to win the National League batting crown in 2006, when he also notched his first All-Star selection. An All-Star in 2008 and 2009, he has been one of the most consistent players on a Pirates team that has not had a winning season since 1992, batting .304 in 2007 and .296 with six home runs, 34 runs batted in and 45 runs scored this season through Wednesday.
Sanchez struck an optimistic tone about his sixth season in Pittsburgh during spring training this year, but as the organization began to trade away its most accomplished — and highest paid — players in exchange for prospects, his name began to come up as one of the pieces to be traded.
Failed attempts between Sanchez, who will be paid $8 million next season, and the Pirates to negotiate a contract extension over the last few weeks only intensified the speculation he would be dealt ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Sanchez initially turned down an extension offer on July 21 of $10 million over the next two seasons. That proposed deal would have also required him to waive the incentive clause in his current contract that would earn him $8.4 million due in 2010 if he makes 600 plate appearances in 2009, a milestone he stands a good chance of reaching at his current pace.
The counter-offer of $6.5 million next year, $6.5 million in 2011 and $7 million in 2012 made by Sanchez and his representatives was rejected by the Pirates.
"I’m human," Sanchez, who joins Nate McClouth, Nyjer Morgan, Adam LaRoche, Jack Wilson and Ian Snell, the last two also being traded Wednesday, on the list of prominent Pirates to be traded this season, told the Associated Press. "You try to put things in the back of your head and be professional about it, but we’re all human.
"It just feels good that it’s over with. There was a little uncertainty. Now I can just concentrate and go play and help these guys win."
Sanchez, who has never appeared in a playoff game in his eight-year career, which began in 2002 with the Boston Red Sox, joins a Giants team that holds a one-game lead over the Colorado Rockies in the National League wild-card race.
As the Pirates seem intent on scrapping their roster, the Giants appear to be in the mode of shoring up their lineup for a stretch run, having dealt for first baseman Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians just a day earlier.
"I think [the Sanchez trade] is great news," said Bill Hertz, a Glendale resident who represents San Francisco starting pitcher Barry Zito. "I’m really happy for Freddy. I’m really happy for the Giants."

Freddie Sanchez Is Snubbed at All-Star Game!

Burbank High graduate Freddy Sanchez didn't get into Tuesday's All-Star Game in St. Louis.

BASEBALL: Burbank graduate doesn’t see action in the American League’s 4-3 victory.

By Grant Gordon, Burbank Leader
Published: July 15, 2009

GLENDALE — When New York Yankees star closer Mariano Rivera induced a popout by Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada, the American League clinched the Major League Baseball All-Star Game with a 4-3 win over the National League and Freddy Sanchez ended the game where he began it — on the bench.Amid trade talks and injury problems, the Burbank High graduate and former Glendale Community College standout also found himself snubbed from any playing time for the NL squad, which saw the American League improve to 12-0-1 in the last 13 Midsummer Classics with its win in St. Louis on the strength of Detroit Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson’s game-winning run in the eighth inning.

“You never want anything to be your last,” said Sanchez during a Monday All-Star press conference about the possibility of this being his last All-Star appearance as a Pirate. “That doesn’t get in the back of my head at all. I consider Pittsburgh my home. Although I got drafted by Boston, I never really got to play up there much. I got traded over early enough to where I consider this my home. To be able to represent the fans of Pittsburgh and the organization, that means a lot to me. That’s real special to me.”Unfortunately for Sanchez, though, there wasn’t anything all that special about his third All-Star appearance.

Along with Astros outfielder Hunter Pence, he was one of two National League field players that didn’t get playing time.Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel was unable to get in Sanchez’s Pittsburgh teammate Zack Duke, either, as Duke, was one of three available pitchers who didn’t get playing time. It was the same for the American League, however, as Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, making his first All-Star appearance, was perhaps the most notable American Leaguer not to get action.

Sanchez, who is the first Pittsburgh infielder to become a three-time All-Star since Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, is still hitless in All-Star games, having gone a combined 0 for three in three appearances.

Freddie Sanchez In Third all-Star Game

BASEBALL: Burbank graduate selected to the National League squad as a reserve.
By Jeff Tully
July 8, 2009 - Burbank Leader

BURBANK — The honor doesn’t get old for Freddy Sanchez.Having been chosen to take part in two previous All-Star games, the former Burbank High and Glendale Community College standout was hoping to be considered this season after putting up solid numbers for the first half of the season.

Sanchez, 31, received good news Sunday, as he was selected as a reserve by Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel to be a part of the 33-player National League team. “Obviously, it’s an honor to make the team,” Sanchez told mlb.com about his selection this season. “To be chosen by Charlie, Tony [LaRussa] and Joe [Torre], those are some Hall of Fame managers. For them to even consider me was an honor. It’s an honor to be able to represent the Pittsburgh Pirates.

”It is Sanchez’s third All-Star honor, as he played in his first game in 2006. He also made the NL squad in ’07 — making both teams as a reserve. The 80th All-Star Game will take place July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 5 p.m. Philadelphia’s Chase Utley was voted the starting second baseman by the fans. Sanchez will be one of three second basemen for the NL team, as they are joined by Los Angeles Dodger Orlando Hudson.

Sanchez is Pittsburgh’s lone representative. He is the first Pirates player since Jason Kendall to be a three-time All-Star. He is also one of 20 Pirates in the history of the organization to make three All-Star appearances, joining standouts Arky Vaughn, Paul Waner, Roberto Clemente, Smoky Burgess, Bill Mazeroski, Willie Stargell, Dave Parker and Barry Bonds.

After struggling last season with a shoulder injury and eye ailments, Sanchez came into spring training healthy for the first time in two seasons. He has been able to thrive, becoming the Pirates’ most consistent hitter. “I feel like I worked to get my shoulder right, to get my body feeling good,” Sanchez told mlb.com. “It’s definitely rewarding that much more, knowing the effort that I put into the offseason and that I’m still putting in as the season goes on. ”Sanchez missed three games last week after experiencing lower back spasms. However, he said he expects the symptoms to subside this week and he should be ready for next week’s game.

Coming into Monday’s game, which he also didn’t start, the eight-year veteran was batting .316 (96 for 304) — the best among second basemen in the majors — with 33 runs batted in, 25 doubles and six home runs. His doubles total ranks second in the league and only Houston Astros’ Miguel Tejada has more multi-hit games. He is a career .302 hitter. In addition, he is one of two players to have six hits in a game this year, accomplishing the feat May 25 against the Chicago Cubs. Along with his offensive success, Sanchez — who has also played third and shortstop in his career — has been a stalwart on defense. He has committed just one error in 365 total chances, and his .997 fielding percentage leads all second basemen.

Sanchez has the distinction of being the only player to have played second, short and third in the All-Star Game. With his versatility, he gives Manuel some options on defense.Sanchez has been able to enjoy success in baseball since breaking into the majors in 2002 with the Boston Red Sox. His most prosperous season came in 2006 when he hit .345 and won the National League batting championship. Sanchez had 200 hits and led the NL with 53 doubles.