1910 United States Federal Census (19 April 1910): Cheyenne (Ward 1), Laramie County, Wyoming (Sheet 5B, family 96, 505 E. 16th) – Raymond Lawson (9 Wyoming).
S/N 71009
1920 United States Federal Census (07 January 1920): San Diego, San Diego County, California (Sheet 2B, line 65) – Raymond P. Lawson (22 Wyoming, machinist, U.S. Navy).
Raymond Paul Lawson (25 Wyoming) a resident of Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, married Rose Eva Oley (19 California), a resident of Oakland, Alameda County, California, on 02 June 1923 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. They were married by Rev. James B. Orr, Congregational Minister. This was the first marriage for both. Ray was the son of Sam A. Lawson and Emma Leahman, Rose was the daughter of John N. Oley and Rose Bly. Raymond was a machinist in the U.S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer.
1924 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), U.S. Navy h 914 S 26th.
1929 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), h 1427 Robinson av.
Raymond P. Lawson (32 Wyoming) is found in the 1930 United States Federal Census (15 April 1930) for San Diego, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 407, 4729 Utah Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He was a sailor in the U. S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer for a clothing store.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October Wyoming) was promoted to machinists on 02 April 1932. He was stationed aboard the minesweeper, U.S.S. Tanager (AM-5) in 1934. He had been assigned to the Tanager since 05 May 1932 and had been at sea 1 year and 8 months. At this point he had been in the Navy for 17 years, 1 month and 21 days. His last reenlistment was on 12 April 1932. Source: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 1 January 1934 (United States Government Printing Office, Washington: 1934), pages 328-329.
NAVAL ORDERS – November 1937
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27. – Orders issued to officers under date of November 24 follow: ...WARRANT OFFICERS ... Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, detached U.S.S. Tanager about Jan 10 to Naval Training Station, San Diego, California.
Raymond Lawson (40) was a passenger aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Honolulu, Hawaii on 15 January 1938 bound for the Port of Los Angeles, California. It arrived there on 22 January 1938. He travelled first class.
1938 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose E.), h 3168 Horton ave
Raymond Lawson (42) and his wife, Rose Lawson (35) were passengers aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Los Angeles, California on 08 December 1939 bound for Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. It arrived there on 13 December 1939.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October 1897) was promoted to Chief Machinists on 02 April 1938.
Naval Orders – December 1939
WASHINGTON – Navy orders issued under date of Dec. 1 follow: ... WARRANT OFFICERS ... Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, Naval Training Station, San Diego, to U.S.S. Quail.
He was assigned to the 188-foot, wooden-hulled minesweeper, U.S.S. Quail (AM-15). The Quail was based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where she operated with the US Pacific Fleet.
Raymond Paul Lawson (42 Wyoming) is enumerated in the 1940 United States Federal Census (03 April 1940) for Honolulu, Honolulu County, Oahu Island, Hawaii (sheet 4A, household 68, 3111 Esther Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He had completed 2 years of high school, Rose finished 4 years of high school. Ray was a Chief Machinist in the U.S. Navy.
In 1941 the Quail was sent to the Philippines where she sewed the sea lanes to Manila with anti-submarine nets, mines and other obstructions as part of the US Asiatic Fleet in defense of the Philippines.
At the outbreak of war with Japan on 08 December 1941, the U.S.S. Quail was stationed at Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines. She escaped the 10 December 1941 bombing of Cavite which destroyed the base. Her commander, Lieutenant Commander John Henry Morrill, was awarded the Navy Cross "for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Minesweeper U.S.S. QUAIL (AM-15), in combat against enemy Japanese forces during the bombardment of Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1941. Despite the fires and frequent explosion of air flasks and war heads, Lieutenant Commander Morrill while in command of a small auxiliary craft, displayed extraordinary courage and determination in proceeding into the danger zone and towing disabled surface craft alongside docks to a safe zone. This prompt and daring action undoubtedly saved the crews from serious danger and saved the vessels aided for further war service."
The U.S.S. Quail was sent to Corregidor Island. The minesweepers (the Quail was one of six still in service), were still able to provide useful service to the troops ashore. Armed with a pair of three-inch guns and a handful of machine guns, the little ships provided gunfire support to troops on Bataan, patrolled against Japanese landing attempts along the coast, and provided anti-aircraft support wherever they happened to be. They also transported troops and supplies as needed and maintained the mine field that stretched across the mouth of Manila Bay.
Once Bataan fell (09 April 1942), she had one more critical job and that was to swept the mine fields and keep an open channel providing access to the South Harbor at Corregidor. This enabled U.S. submarines to safely pass and surface at night, delivering goods and removing critical personnel from Corregidor. The North channel was too close to Bataan, now that the Japanese controlled the peninsula. Eventually, more than a third of Quail's crew were drafted to serve ashore as gunners, taking several of the ship's machine guns with them. As Japanese bombing and shelling of Corregidor intensified, and the entire bay fell within range of Japanese guns, the remaining crew of the minesweeper moved ashore during daylight hours, returning to the ship at dark to continue work on the minefield. Raymond was one of the men sent ashore to aid in the defense of the island manning 75mm beach guns on Corregidor.
Seriously damaged by enemy bombs and shells , the Quail was scuttled on 05 May 1942 (the day before Corregidor surrendered) by the remaining crew to prevent her capture. Lt. Cmdr. John H. Morrill and 17 others of her remaining crew, escaped to Darwin, Australia, in a 36-foot motor launch. The rest of the crew became prisoners of war of Japan when Corregidor was surrendered on on 06 May 1942 and were held in Corregidor's 92nd Garage Area. At the end of the month Ray and most of the POWs on Corregidor were taken to Manila and marched down Dewey Blvd to Bilibid Prison. From there they were put in trains to the Cabanatuan POW Camp in Nueva Ecija Province, Central Luzon, Philippines. Source: https://militaryhistorynow.com/2021/02/17/escape-from-corregidor-meet-the-americans-who-refused-to-surrender-when-the-philippines-fell/
Navy Announces List of Missing
WASHINGTON, June 3 – The navy department's casualty list No. 4, covering the period from April 16 to May 10, contained the names of two officers and six enlisted men from Wyoming as among the sailors and marines reported missing.
The list compiled May 22, and the next of kin in each instance, was as follows:
Officers: Raymond Paul Lawson, chief machinist, U.S. Navy. Wife Mrs. Eva Lawson, 505 East Fifteenth st., Cheyenne. Source: Casper Star-Tribune (Casper, Wyoming), Wednesday, 03 June 1942, page 4.
Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, age 44, (S/N 71009), U.S. Navy, died at 3:00 am, 20 July 1942, of diphtheria, in building 0.1, Hospital Area. He was one of 25 men to die that day, the 1053rd prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. In all 786 men died in the prison during the month of July. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
He was buried in a communal grave in the camp cemetery along with other deceased American POWs who died that day. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. He is most likely buried in the Manila American Cemetery as a "Known but to God". There are 953 men like CM Lawson who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
Chief Machinist Raymond Paul Lawson is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.
His wife married a number of times after his death.
Rose E. Lawson (40) married Henry O. Miller (49) on 07 September 1949 in Alameda County, California.
Rose E. Oley (63) married Allan J. Mcdonald (63) on 29 October 1967 in Santa Clara County, California. The marriage lasted five months. They divorced in February 1968 in Santa Clara County, California.
Rose E. Oley (74) married Edwin B. Bullard (74) on 27 June 1983 in Alameda County, California.
Rose Eva Oley Lawson Bullard (04 August 1908 Oakland, California - 19 October 1992 Hayward, Alameda County, California).
S/N 71009
1920 United States Federal Census (07 January 1920): San Diego, San Diego County, California (Sheet 2B, line 65) – Raymond P. Lawson (22 Wyoming, machinist, U.S. Navy).
Raymond Paul Lawson (25 Wyoming) a resident of Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, married Rose Eva Oley (19 California), a resident of Oakland, Alameda County, California, on 02 June 1923 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. They were married by Rev. James B. Orr, Congregational Minister. This was the first marriage for both. Ray was the son of Sam A. Lawson and Emma Leahman, Rose was the daughter of John N. Oley and Rose Bly. Raymond was a machinist in the U.S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer.
1924 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), U.S. Navy h 914 S 26th.
1929 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), h 1427 Robinson av.
Raymond P. Lawson (32 Wyoming) is found in the 1930 United States Federal Census (15 April 1930) for San Diego, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 407, 4729 Utah Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He was a sailor in the U. S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer for a clothing store.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October Wyoming) was promoted to machinists on 02 April 1932. He was stationed aboard the minesweeper, U.S.S. Tanager (AM-5) in 1934. He had been assigned to the Tanager since 05 May 1932 and had been at sea 1 year and 8 months. At this point he had been in the Navy for 17 years, 1 month and 21 days. His last reenlistment was on 12 April 1932. Source: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 1 January 1934 (United States Government Printing Office, Washington: 1934), pages 328-329.
NAVAL ORDERS – November 1937
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27. – Orders issued to officers under date of November 24 follow: ...WARRANT OFFICERS ... Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, detached U.S.S. Tanager about Jan 10 to Naval Training Station, San Diego, California.
Raymond Lawson (40) was a passenger aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Honolulu, Hawaii on 15 January 1938 bound for the Port of Los Angeles, California. It arrived there on 22 January 1938. He travelled first class.
1938 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose E.), h 3168 Horton ave
Raymond Lawson (42) and his wife, Rose Lawson (35) were passengers aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Los Angeles, California on 08 December 1939 bound for Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. It arrived there on 13 December 1939.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October 1897) was promoted to Chief Machinists on 02 April 1938.
Naval Orders – December 1939
WASHINGTON – Navy orders issued under date of Dec. 1 follow: ... WARRANT OFFICERS ... Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, Naval Training Station, San Diego, to U.S.S. Quail.
He was assigned to the 188-foot, wooden-hulled minesweeper, U.S.S. Quail (AM-15). The Quail was based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where she operated with the US Pacific Fleet.
Raymond Paul Lawson (42 Wyoming) is enumerated in the 1940 United States Federal Census (03 April 1940) for Honolulu, Honolulu County, Oahu Island, Hawaii (sheet 4A, household 68, 3111 Esther Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He had completed 2 years of high school, Rose finished 4 years of high school. Ray was a Chief Machinist in the U.S. Navy.
In 1941 the Quail was sent to the Philippines where she sewed the sea lanes to Manila with anti-submarine nets, mines and other obstructions as part of the US Asiatic Fleet in defense of the Philippines.
At the outbreak of war with Japan on 08 December 1941, the U.S.S. Quail was stationed at Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines. She escaped the 10 December 1941 bombing of Cavite which destroyed the base. Her commander, Lieutenant Commander John Henry Morrill, was awarded the Navy Cross "for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Minesweeper U.S.S. QUAIL (AM-15), in combat against enemy Japanese forces during the bombardment of Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1941. Despite the fires and frequent explosion of air flasks and war heads, Lieutenant Commander Morrill while in command of a small auxiliary craft, displayed extraordinary courage and determination in proceeding into the danger zone and towing disabled surface craft alongside docks to a safe zone. This prompt and daring action undoubtedly saved the crews from serious danger and saved the vessels aided for further war service."
The U.S.S. Quail was sent to Corregidor Island. The minesweepers (the Quail was one of six still in service), were still able to provide useful service to the troops ashore. Armed with a pair of three-inch guns and a handful of machine guns, the little ships provided gunfire support to troops on Bataan, patrolled against Japanese landing attempts along the coast, and provided anti-aircraft support wherever they happened to be. They also transported troops and supplies as needed and maintained the mine field that stretched across the mouth of Manila Bay.
Once Bataan fell (09 April 1942), she had one more critical job and that was to swept the mine fields and keep an open channel providing access to the South Harbor at Corregidor. This enabled U.S. submarines to safely pass and surface at night, delivering goods and removing critical personnel from Corregidor. The North channel was too close to Bataan, now that the Japanese controlled the peninsula. Eventually, more than a third of Quail's crew were drafted to serve ashore as gunners, taking several of the ship's machine guns with them. As Japanese bombing and shelling of Corregidor intensified, and the entire bay fell within range of Japanese guns, the remaining crew of the minesweeper moved ashore during daylight hours, returning to the ship at dark to continue work on the minefield. Raymond was one of the men sent ashore to aid in the defense of the island manning 75mm beach guns on Corregidor.
Seriously damaged by enemy bombs and shells , the Quail was scuttled on 05 May 1942 (the day before Corregidor surrendered) by the remaining crew to prevent her capture. Lt. Cmdr. John H. Morrill and 17 others of her remaining crew, escaped to Darwin, Australia, in a 36-foot motor launch. The rest of the crew became prisoners of war of Japan when Corregidor was surrendered on on 06 May 1942 and were held in Corregidor's 92nd Garage Area. At the end of the month Ray and most of the POWs on Corregidor were taken to Manila and marched down Dewey Blvd to Bilibid Prison. From there they were put in trains to the Cabanatuan POW Camp in Nueva Ecija Province, Central Luzon, Philippines. Source: https://militaryhistorynow.com/2021/02/17/escape-from-corregidor-meet-the-americans-who-refused-to-surrender-when-the-philippines-fell/
Navy Announces List of Missing
WASHINGTON, June 3 – The navy department's casualty list No. 4, covering the period from April 16 to May 10, contained the names of two officers and six enlisted men from Wyoming as among the sailors and marines reported missing.
The list compiled May 22, and the next of kin in each instance, was as follows:
Officers: Raymond Paul Lawson, chief machinist, U.S. Navy. Wife Mrs. Eva Lawson, 505 East Fifteenth st., Cheyenne. Source: Casper Star-Tribune (Casper, Wyoming), Wednesday, 03 June 1942, page 4.
Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, age 44, (S/N 71009), U.S. Navy, died at 3:00 am, 20 July 1942, of diphtheria, in building 0.1, Hospital Area. He was one of 25 men to die that day, the 1053rd prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. In all 786 men died in the prison during the month of July. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
He was buried in a communal grave in the camp cemetery along with other deceased American POWs who died that day. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. He is most likely buried in the Manila American Cemetery as a "Known but to God". There are 953 men like CM Lawson who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
Chief Machinist Raymond Paul Lawson is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.
His wife married a number of times after his death.
Rose E. Lawson (40) married Henry O. Miller (49) on 07 September 1949 in Alameda County, California.
Rose E. Oley (63) married Allan J. Mcdonald (63) on 29 October 1967 in Santa Clara County, California. The marriage lasted five months. They divorced in February 1968 in Santa Clara County, California.
Rose E. Oley (74) married Edwin B. Bullard (74) on 27 June 1983 in Alameda County, California.
Rose Eva Oley Lawson Bullard (04 August 1908 Oakland, California - 19 October 1992 Hayward, Alameda County, California).
1910 United States Federal Census (19 April 1910): Cheyenne (Ward 1), Laramie County, Wyoming (Sheet 5B, family 96, 505 E. 16th) – Raymond Lawson (9 Wyoming).
S/N 71009
1920 United States Federal Census (07 January 1920): San Diego, San Diego County, California (Sheet 2B, line 65) – Raymond P. Lawson (22 Wyoming, machinist, U.S. Navy).
Raymond Paul Lawson (25 Wyoming) a resident of Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, married Rose Eva Oley (19 California), a resident of Oakland, Alameda County, California, on 02 June 1923 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. They were married by Rev. James B. Orr, Congregational Minister. This was the first marriage for both. Ray was the son of Sam A. Lawson and Emma Leahman, Rose was the daughter of John N. Oley and Rose Bly. Raymond was a machinist in the U.S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer.
1924 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), U.S. Navy h 914 S 26th.
1929 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), h 1427 Robinson av.
Raymond P. Lawson (32 Wyoming) is found in the 1930 United States Federal Census (15 April 1930) for San Diego, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 407, 4729 Utah Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He was a sailor in the U. S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer for a clothing store.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October Wyoming) was promoted to machinists on 02 April 1932. He was stationed aboard the minesweeper, U.S.S. Tanager (AM-5) in 1934. He had been assigned to the Tanager since 05 May 1932 and had been at sea 1 year and 8 months. At this point he had been in the Navy for 17 years, 1 month and 21 days. His last reenlistment was on 12 April 1932. Source: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 1 January 1934 (United States Government Printing Office, Washington: 1934), pages 328-329.
NAVAL ORDERS – November 1937
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27. – Orders issued to officers under date of November 24 follow: ...WARRANT OFFICERS ... Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, detached U.S.S. Tanager about Jan 10 to Naval Training Station, San Diego, California.
Raymond Lawson (40) was a passenger aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Honolulu, Hawaii on 15 January 1938 bound for the Port of Los Angeles, California. It arrived there on 22 January 1938. He travelled first class.
1938 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose E.), h 3168 Horton ave
Raymond Lawson (42) and his wife, Rose Lawson (35) were passengers aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Los Angeles, California on 08 December 1939 bound for Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. It arrived there on 13 December 1939.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October 1897) was promoted to Chief Machinists on 02 April 1938.
Naval Orders – December 1939
WASHINGTON – Navy orders issued under date of Dec. 1 follow: ... WARRANT OFFICERS ... Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, Naval Training Station, San Diego, to U.S.S. Quail.
He was assigned to the 188-foot, wooden-hulled minesweeper, U.S.S. Quail (AM-15). The Quail was based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where she operated with the US Pacific Fleet.
Raymond Paul Lawson (42 Wyoming) is enumerated in the 1940 United States Federal Census (03 April 1940) for Honolulu, Honolulu County, Oahu Island, Hawaii (sheet 4A, household 68, 3111 Esther Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He had completed 2 years of high school, Rose finished 4 years of high school. Ray was a Chief Machinist in the U.S. Navy.
In 1941 the Quail was sent to the Philippines where she sewed the sea lanes to Manila with anti-submarine nets, mines and other obstructions as part of the US Asiatic Fleet in defense of the Philippines.
At the outbreak of war with Japan on 08 December 1941, the U.S.S. Quail was stationed at Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines. She escaped the 10 December 1941 bombing of Cavite which destroyed the base. Her commander, Lieutenant Commander John Henry Morrill, was awarded the Navy Cross "for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Minesweeper U.S.S. QUAIL (AM-15), in combat against enemy Japanese forces during the bombardment of Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1941. Despite the fires and frequent explosion of air flasks and war heads, Lieutenant Commander Morrill while in command of a small auxiliary craft, displayed extraordinary courage and determination in proceeding into the danger zone and towing disabled surface craft alongside docks to a safe zone. This prompt and daring action undoubtedly saved the crews from serious danger and saved the vessels aided for further war service."
The U.S.S. Quail was sent to Corregidor Island. The minesweepers (the Quail was one of six still in service), were still able to provide useful service to the troops ashore. Armed with a pair of three-inch guns and a handful of machine guns, the little ships provided gunfire support to troops on Bataan, patrolled against Japanese landing attempts along the coast, and provided anti-aircraft support wherever they happened to be. They also transported troops and supplies as needed and maintained the mine field that stretched across the mouth of Manila Bay.
Once Bataan fell (09 April 1942), she had one more critical job and that was to swept the mine fields and keep an open channel providing access to the South Harbor at Corregidor. This enabled U.S. submarines to safely pass and surface at night, delivering goods and removing critical personnel from Corregidor. The North channel was too close to Bataan, now that the Japanese controlled the peninsula. Eventually, more than a third of Quail's crew were drafted to serve ashore as gunners, taking several of the ship's machine guns with them. As Japanese bombing and shelling of Corregidor intensified, and the entire bay fell within range of Japanese guns, the remaining crew of the minesweeper moved ashore during daylight hours, returning to the ship at dark to continue work on the minefield. Raymond was one of the men sent ashore to aid in the defense of the island manning 75mm beach guns on Corregidor.
Seriously damaged by enemy bombs and shells , the Quail was scuttled on 05 May 1942 (the day before Corregidor surrendered) by the remaining crew to prevent her capture. Lt. Cmdr. John H. Morrill and 17 others of her remaining crew, escaped to Darwin, Australia, in a 36-foot motor launch. The rest of the crew became prisoners of war of Japan when Corregidor was surrendered on on 06 May 1942 and were held in Corregidor's 92nd Garage Area. At the end of the month Ray and most of the POWs on Corregidor were taken to Manila and marched down Dewey Blvd to Bilibid Prison. From there they were put in trains to the Cabanatuan POW Camp in Nueva Ecija Province, Central Luzon, Philippines. Source: https://militaryhistorynow.com/2021/02/17/escape-from-corregidor-meet-the-americans-who-refused-to-surrender-when-the-philippines-fell/
Navy Announces List of Missing
WASHINGTON, June 3 – The navy department's casualty list No. 4, covering the period from April 16 to May 10, contained the names of two officers and six enlisted men from Wyoming as among the sailors and marines reported missing.
The list compiled May 22, and the next of kin in each instance, was as follows:
Officers: Raymond Paul Lawson, chief machinist, U.S. Navy. Wife Mrs. Eva Lawson, 505 East Fifteenth st., Cheyenne. Source: Casper Star-Tribune (Casper, Wyoming), Wednesday, 03 June 1942, page 4.
Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, age 44, (S/N 71009), U.S. Navy, died at 3:00 am, 20 July 1942, of diphtheria, in building 0.1, Hospital Area. He was one of 25 men to die that day, the 1053rd prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. In all 786 men died in the prison during the month of July. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
He was buried in a communal grave in the camp cemetery along with other deceased American POWs who died that day. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. He is most likely buried in the Manila American Cemetery as a "Known but to God". There are 953 men like CM Lawson who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
Chief Machinist Raymond Paul Lawson is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.
His wife married a number of times after his death.
Rose E. Lawson (40) married Henry O. Miller (49) on 07 September 1949 in Alameda County, California.
Rose E. Oley (63) married Allan J. Mcdonald (63) on 29 October 1967 in Santa Clara County, California. The marriage lasted five months. They divorced in February 1968 in Santa Clara County, California.
Rose E. Oley (74) married Edwin B. Bullard (74) on 27 June 1983 in Alameda County, California.
Rose Eva Oley Lawson Bullard (04 August 1908 Oakland, California - 19 October 1992 Hayward, Alameda County, California).
S/N 71009
1920 United States Federal Census (07 January 1920): San Diego, San Diego County, California (Sheet 2B, line 65) – Raymond P. Lawson (22 Wyoming, machinist, U.S. Navy).
Raymond Paul Lawson (25 Wyoming) a resident of Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, married Rose Eva Oley (19 California), a resident of Oakland, Alameda County, California, on 02 June 1923 in Oakland, Alameda County, California. They were married by Rev. James B. Orr, Congregational Minister. This was the first marriage for both. Ray was the son of Sam A. Lawson and Emma Leahman, Rose was the daughter of John N. Oley and Rose Bly. Raymond was a machinist in the U.S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer.
1924 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), U.S. Navy h 914 S 26th.
1929 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose), h 1427 Robinson av.
Raymond P. Lawson (32 Wyoming) is found in the 1930 United States Federal Census (15 April 1930) for San Diego, San Diego County, California (sheet 3B, family 407, 4729 Utah Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He was a sailor in the U. S. Navy, Rose was a stenographer for a clothing store.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October Wyoming) was promoted to machinists on 02 April 1932. He was stationed aboard the minesweeper, U.S.S. Tanager (AM-5) in 1934. He had been assigned to the Tanager since 05 May 1932 and had been at sea 1 year and 8 months. At this point he had been in the Navy for 17 years, 1 month and 21 days. His last reenlistment was on 12 April 1932. Source: Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 1 January 1934 (United States Government Printing Office, Washington: 1934), pages 328-329.
NAVAL ORDERS – November 1937
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27. – Orders issued to officers under date of November 24 follow: ...WARRANT OFFICERS ... Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, detached U.S.S. Tanager about Jan 10 to Naval Training Station, San Diego, California.
Raymond Lawson (40) was a passenger aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Honolulu, Hawaii on 15 January 1938 bound for the Port of Los Angeles, California. It arrived there on 22 January 1938. He travelled first class.
1938 San Diego, California, City Directory – Raymond P. Lawson (Rose E.), h 3168 Horton ave
Raymond Lawson (42) and his wife, Rose Lawson (35) were passengers aboard the "S.S. Lurline" sailing from Los Angeles, California on 08 December 1939 bound for Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. It arrived there on 13 December 1939.
Raymond Paul Lawson (19 October 1897) was promoted to Chief Machinists on 02 April 1938.
Naval Orders – December 1939
WASHINGTON – Navy orders issued under date of Dec. 1 follow: ... WARRANT OFFICERS ... Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, Naval Training Station, San Diego, to U.S.S. Quail.
He was assigned to the 188-foot, wooden-hulled minesweeper, U.S.S. Quail (AM-15). The Quail was based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where she operated with the US Pacific Fleet.
Raymond Paul Lawson (42 Wyoming) is enumerated in the 1940 United States Federal Census (03 April 1940) for Honolulu, Honolulu County, Oahu Island, Hawaii (sheet 4A, household 68, 3111 Esther Street) along with his wife, Rose E. Lawson (25 California). He had completed 2 years of high school, Rose finished 4 years of high school. Ray was a Chief Machinist in the U.S. Navy.
In 1941 the Quail was sent to the Philippines where she sewed the sea lanes to Manila with anti-submarine nets, mines and other obstructions as part of the US Asiatic Fleet in defense of the Philippines.
At the outbreak of war with Japan on 08 December 1941, the U.S.S. Quail was stationed at Cavite Navy Yard in the Philippines. She escaped the 10 December 1941 bombing of Cavite which destroyed the base. Her commander, Lieutenant Commander John Henry Morrill, was awarded the Navy Cross "for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Minesweeper U.S.S. QUAIL (AM-15), in combat against enemy Japanese forces during the bombardment of Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, on 10 December 1941. Despite the fires and frequent explosion of air flasks and war heads, Lieutenant Commander Morrill while in command of a small auxiliary craft, displayed extraordinary courage and determination in proceeding into the danger zone and towing disabled surface craft alongside docks to a safe zone. This prompt and daring action undoubtedly saved the crews from serious danger and saved the vessels aided for further war service."
The U.S.S. Quail was sent to Corregidor Island. The minesweepers (the Quail was one of six still in service), were still able to provide useful service to the troops ashore. Armed with a pair of three-inch guns and a handful of machine guns, the little ships provided gunfire support to troops on Bataan, patrolled against Japanese landing attempts along the coast, and provided anti-aircraft support wherever they happened to be. They also transported troops and supplies as needed and maintained the mine field that stretched across the mouth of Manila Bay.
Once Bataan fell (09 April 1942), she had one more critical job and that was to swept the mine fields and keep an open channel providing access to the South Harbor at Corregidor. This enabled U.S. submarines to safely pass and surface at night, delivering goods and removing critical personnel from Corregidor. The North channel was too close to Bataan, now that the Japanese controlled the peninsula. Eventually, more than a third of Quail's crew were drafted to serve ashore as gunners, taking several of the ship's machine guns with them. As Japanese bombing and shelling of Corregidor intensified, and the entire bay fell within range of Japanese guns, the remaining crew of the minesweeper moved ashore during daylight hours, returning to the ship at dark to continue work on the minefield. Raymond was one of the men sent ashore to aid in the defense of the island manning 75mm beach guns on Corregidor.
Seriously damaged by enemy bombs and shells , the Quail was scuttled on 05 May 1942 (the day before Corregidor surrendered) by the remaining crew to prevent her capture. Lt. Cmdr. John H. Morrill and 17 others of her remaining crew, escaped to Darwin, Australia, in a 36-foot motor launch. The rest of the crew became prisoners of war of Japan when Corregidor was surrendered on on 06 May 1942 and were held in Corregidor's 92nd Garage Area. At the end of the month Ray and most of the POWs on Corregidor were taken to Manila and marched down Dewey Blvd to Bilibid Prison. From there they were put in trains to the Cabanatuan POW Camp in Nueva Ecija Province, Central Luzon, Philippines. Source: https://militaryhistorynow.com/2021/02/17/escape-from-corregidor-meet-the-americans-who-refused-to-surrender-when-the-philippines-fell/
Navy Announces List of Missing
WASHINGTON, June 3 – The navy department's casualty list No. 4, covering the period from April 16 to May 10, contained the names of two officers and six enlisted men from Wyoming as among the sailors and marines reported missing.
The list compiled May 22, and the next of kin in each instance, was as follows:
Officers: Raymond Paul Lawson, chief machinist, U.S. Navy. Wife Mrs. Eva Lawson, 505 East Fifteenth st., Cheyenne. Source: Casper Star-Tribune (Casper, Wyoming), Wednesday, 03 June 1942, page 4.
Chief Machinist Raymond P. Lawson, age 44, (S/N 71009), U.S. Navy, died at 3:00 am, 20 July 1942, of diphtheria, in building 0.1, Hospital Area. He was one of 25 men to die that day, the 1053rd prisoner to die in the camp since in opened in June. In all 786 men died in the prison during the month of July. By the time the camp was liberated in early 1945, 2,764 Americans had died at Cabanatuan in 2½ years.
He was buried in a communal grave in the camp cemetery along with other deceased American POWs who died that day. After the war, all the remains in the Cabanatuan Prison cemetery that could be found were disinterred (between December 1945 - February 1946) and brought to 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands. The deceased in Manila #2 (over 11,000 American soldiers) rested there until their removal to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum in the summer of 1948 for positive identification. Unfortunately, no clothing, personal effects nor any other means of identification were found for him and his remains could not be associated with any remains recovered from Cabanatuan. He is most likely buried in the Manila American Cemetery as a "Known but to God". There are 953 men like CM Lawson who were not identified after the war, "unknowns", permanently interred in the Manila American Cemetery from Cabanatuan.
Chief Machinist Raymond Paul Lawson is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing - United States Army and Army Air Forces at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.
His wife married a number of times after his death.
Rose E. Lawson (40) married Henry O. Miller (49) on 07 September 1949 in Alameda County, California.
Rose E. Oley (63) married Allan J. Mcdonald (63) on 29 October 1967 in Santa Clara County, California. The marriage lasted five months. They divorced in February 1968 in Santa Clara County, California.
Rose E. Oley (74) married Edwin B. Bullard (74) on 27 June 1983 in Alameda County, California.
Rose Eva Oley Lawson Bullard (04 August 1908 Oakland, California - 19 October 1992 Hayward, Alameda County, California).
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Wyoming.
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