William P. Lawrence
Encyclopedia
William Porter Lawrence (January 13, 1930 – December 2, 2005), United States Navy
, was a decorated Naval Aviator
who served as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy
from 1978-1981. Lawrence retired at the rank of Vice Admiral
.
Lawrence was a noted pilot who became the first Naval Aviator to fly twice the speed of sound in a Naval aircraft and was also one of the final candidates for the Mercury
space program. During the Vietnam War
, Lawrence was shot down while on a combat mission and spent six years as a prisoner of war
, from 1967 to 1973. During this time he became noted for his resistance to his captors. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Lawrence served as the school's Superintendent from 1978 to 1981.
. Lawrence's father attended Vanderbilt University
, where he was a noted student-athlete who graduated in 1924. Lawrence was a native of Nashville
, and attended local schools. When in the fourth grade, Lawrence composed a poem called Little Fly:
Lawrence distinguished himself as a student athlete at Nashville's West High School, and in 1947 turned down a scholarship at Yale University
to attend the United States Naval Academy.
at the Naval Air Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
where he received the Outstanding Student Award with the TPS Class 16. When NASA established the manned-spaceflight program, Lawrence became part of Project Mercury
and made it to the final round of candidates. He was released from the program only because of a small heart murmur discovered during flight training.
Lawrence was serving as Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 143
(VF-143), aboard the carrier . On 28 June 1967, Lawrence and his radar intercept officer, Lieutenant, junior grade
James W. Bailey, were flying an F-4B Phantom II
aircraft, Bureau Number 152242, while leading a flak suppression section during a raid northwest of Nam Dinh, North Vietnam. Struck by an 85 mm round while rolling in on target. Despite failing hydraulics, Lawrence and Bailey released their bombs, but part of the aircraft's tail section separated while attempting to pull out of a dive. Both officers were forced to eject, were captured and held as prisoners of war
in Hanoi
until 1973, during which time they suffered repeated torture and beatings. Along with fellow prisoner, Naval Aviator and Commander (later Vice Admiral) James Stockdale
, Lawrence became noted for resistance to his captors. Additionally, he memorized every POW by name and rank while in captivity. He developed a code by tapping on the prison walls to communicate with other prisoners. Bailey was released on 18 Feb 1973 and Lawrence was released on 4 Mar 1973.
and later applied to become a NASA
Astronaut
. Unlike her father, she was selected as an astronaut and subsequently flew multiple Space Shuttle
missions. She retired from the Navy as a Captain.
s, three Silver Star
s, a Distinguished Flying Cross
, a Bronze Star
with Combat “V” for valor, two Purple Heart
s, and numerous other decorations.
, one of Lawrence's daughters, graduated with the Naval Academy in 1981 and became a Naval Aviator and Astronaut, attaining the rank of Captain. Lawrence's other daughter, Dr. Laurie Lawrence, attended Vanderbilt University
and is a physician at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, was a decorated Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
who served as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
from 1978-1981. Lawrence retired at the rank of Vice Admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
.
Lawrence was a noted pilot who became the first Naval Aviator to fly twice the speed of sound in a Naval aircraft and was also one of the final candidates for the Mercury
Project Mercury
In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
space program. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, Lawrence was shot down while on a combat mission and spent six years as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
, from 1967 to 1973. During this time he became noted for his resistance to his captors. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Lawrence served as the school's Superintendent from 1978 to 1981.
Early life and education
Lawrence's parents and grandparents were from TennesseeTennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. Lawrence's father attended Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
, where he was a noted student-athlete who graduated in 1924. Lawrence was a native of Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, and attended local schools. When in the fourth grade, Lawrence composed a poem called Little Fly:
- Little Fly
- I saw a little fly up on the wall.
- I said to him "Little fly, aren't you afraid you'll fall?"
- He looked at me a minute, then winked his eye.
- And then he shifted into second, and then into high.
Lawrence distinguished himself as a student athlete at Nashville's West High School, and in 1947 turned down a scholarship at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
to attend the United States Naval Academy.
U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman
Lawrence stood out as a varsity athlete in three sports at the Naval Academy, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. During his time at the Academy, he held several high-ranking Midshipmen offices, including Commander of the Brigade of Midshipmen, President of the Class of 1951, while also graduating number 8 academically out of a class of 725. His other major accomplishments included helping to establish the Honor Concept governing midshipman's conduct. He graduated from the Academy in 1951.Naval Aviator
Lawrence received his "Wings of Gold" as a Naval Aviator in 1952. He attended the United States Naval Test Pilot SchoolUnited States Naval Test Pilot School
The United States Naval Test Pilot School , located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Patuxent River, Maryland, provides instruction to experienced United States Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and foreign military experimental test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test...
at the Naval Air Test Center, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
where he received the Outstanding Student Award with the TPS Class 16. When NASA established the manned-spaceflight program, Lawrence became part of Project Mercury
Project Mercury
In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
and made it to the final round of candidates. He was released from the program only because of a small heart murmur discovered during flight training.
Prisoner of War (POW)
In 1967, then-CommanderCommander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Lawrence was serving as Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 143
VFA-143
Strike Fighter Squadron 143 , also known as the "Pukin Dogs", are a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The Pukin Dogs are an operational fleet squadron and flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. They are currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Seven and...
(VF-143), aboard the carrier . On 28 June 1967, Lawrence and his radar intercept officer, Lieutenant, junior grade
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer rank in the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, United States Merchant Marine USMM, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, with the pay grade...
James W. Bailey, were flying an F-4B Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
aircraft, Bureau Number 152242, while leading a flak suppression section during a raid northwest of Nam Dinh, North Vietnam. Struck by an 85 mm round while rolling in on target. Despite failing hydraulics, Lawrence and Bailey released their bombs, but part of the aircraft's tail section separated while attempting to pull out of a dive. Both officers were forced to eject, were captured and held as prisoners of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
in Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
until 1973, during which time they suffered repeated torture and beatings. Along with fellow prisoner, Naval Aviator and Commander (later Vice Admiral) James Stockdale
James Stockdale
Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale was one of the most highly decorated officers in the history of the United States Navy.Stockdale led aerial attacks from the carrier during the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Incident...
, Lawrence became noted for resistance to his captors. Additionally, he memorized every POW by name and rank while in captivity. He developed a code by tapping on the prison walls to communicate with other prisoners. Bailey was released on 18 Feb 1973 and Lawrence was released on 4 Mar 1973.
Author of Tennessee State Poem
While a prisoner of war, Lawrence mentally composed poetry to help keep up his spirits. During a 60-day period of solitary confinement, he composed, by memory, the poem "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee," in honor of his native state. In 1973, the Tennessee State Legislature adopted the poem as Tennessee's official state poem.- Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee
What Love and Pride I Feel for Thee.
You Proud Ole State, the Volunteer,
Your Proud Traditions I Hold Dear.
- I Revere Your Heroes
Who Bravely Fought our Country's Foes.
Renowned Statesmen, so Wise and Strong,
Who Served our Country Well and Long.
- I Thrill at Thought of Mountains Grand;
Rolling Green Hills and Fertile Farm Land;
Earth Rich with Stone, Mineral and Ore;
Forests Dense and Wild Flowers Galore;
- Powerful Rivers that Bring us Light;
Deep Lakes with Fish and Fowl in Flight;
Thriving Cities and Industries;
Fine Schools and Universities;
Strong Folks of Pioneer Descent,
Simple, Honest, and Reverent.
- Beauty and Hospitality
Are the Hallmarks of Tennessee.
- And O'er the World as I May Roam,
No Place Exceeds my Boyhood Home.
And Oh How Much I Long to See
My Native Land, My Tennessee.
Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy
Admiral Lawrence served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy from August 1978 to August 1981. His daughter, Wendy Lawrence, attended the Naval Academy during that period as part of the Class of 1981, the second USNA class to include female graduates. Like her father, she became a Naval AviatorNaval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
and later applied to become a NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
. Unlike her father, she was selected as an astronaut and subsequently flew multiple Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
missions. She retired from the Navy as a Captain.
Awards and honors
Admiral Lawrence's military decorations included two Navy Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
s, three Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
s, a Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, a Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Combat “V” for valor, two Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s, and numerous other decorations.
Navy Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
with Gold Star
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
with two Gold Stars
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Combat V
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
with Gold Star
- In 2000, the Naval Academy recognized Lawrence's contributions to his alma mater by presenting him with one of its Distinguished Graduate Awards.
- In 2004, Admiral Lawrence was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, in recognition of his athletic achievements both in high school and college.
- In 2009, the Navy named the Arleigh Burke-classArleigh Burke class destroyerThe Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the United States Navy's first class of destroyer built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. The class is named for Admiral Arleigh "31-Knot" Burke, the most famous American destroyer officer of...
destroyerDestroyerIn naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
in the admiral's honor. The ship was sponsored by the Admiral's widow and daughters. - on October 17, 2008, a bronze statue of Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence was dedicated at the Naval Academy. The statue was a gift of the Naval Academy graduate and business tycoon, H. Ross Perot.
Family
Wendy B. LawrenceWendy B. Lawrence
Wendy Barrien Lawrence is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, former helicopter pilot, an engineer, and a former NASA astronaut. She was the first female graduate of the US Naval Academy to fly in space and she has also visited the Russian Space Station Mir. She was a mission specialist on STS-114, the...
, one of Lawrence's daughters, graduated with the Naval Academy in 1981 and became a Naval Aviator and Astronaut, attaining the rank of Captain. Lawrence's other daughter, Dr. Laurie Lawrence, attended Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
and is a physician at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a collection of several hospitals and clinics, as well as the schools of medicine and nursing associated with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.It comprises the following units:...
.
See also
List of Superintendents of the United States Naval AcademyExternal links
- Official WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE (DDG 110) Ship Web Site
- Washington Post - William P. Lawrence Dies; Navy Admiral
- William Lawrence, 75; Held as POW for 6 Years During Vietnam War
- Navy News Stand - 12/6/2005 - Statement by Admiral Michael Mullen, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, on the passing of VADM William Lawrence
- Biography of VADM Lawrence - from an alumni website about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
- History of the United States Naval Academy - 1970s
- History of the United States Naval Academy - 1980s
- Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame - VADM William P. Lawrence, USN (Ret)
- Lyrics and background to "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee" - from the United States Library of Congress
- POW Network - Biography of VADM Lawrence