SP4 Verlon E. Lawrence |
Start Resident Gets Air Medall
A Monroe area resident recently received an air medal award with leaf cluster
and “V” device for heroism in Vietnam while engaged in aerial flight in
connection with military operations against a hostile force.
SP 4 Verlon E. Lawrence, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Parker of Start, received the
award while stationed with the U.S. Army, 7th Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry.
Lawrence and a comrade dis¬tinguished themselves by "Ex¬ceptionally valorous
actions while serving as crew members aboard a Uh - 1H helicopter uti¬lized in
the recovery of two copters shot down by hostile fire” according to a let¬ter
from the department of the Army.
"They placed accurate sup¬pressive fires, on enemy posi¬tions throughout the
extractions. Despite the fact that the down¬ed OH6A was partially sub¬merged in
mud and water, these men worked effectively and ef¬ficiently as a team, thereby
pre¬venting valuable aircraft from falling into enemy hands.
"Their actions were in keep¬ing with the highest traditions of the military
service and re-flect great credit upon them¬selves, their unit and the United
States Army”