Rawls graduated from Lee Edwards High School and attended Biltmore College in Asheville before transferring to UNC in 1937. While attending UNC, he was on the staff of The Buccaneer, the campus humor magazine, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in October 1941 and received his pilot wings and his commission at Moody Field, Ga., in May 1942. He went to North Africa in January 1943 and participated in the invasions of Sicily, Italy and Normandy. He received the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster during two years of service overseas.
He returned to his home for 21 days leave in December 1944.
On April 20, 1945, Rawls was flying as co-pilot of a C-47 transport aircraft en route from Midland Army Air Field, Midland, Texas, to Paterson, N.J. The aircraft crashed three and a half miles south of Sweetwater, Texas, killing all aboard.
Alumni Secretary J. Maryon "Spike" Saunders '25 wrote to Rawls' mother:
"The news of the death of your son, Captain John Robison Rawls, brings sincere sorrow to us at the University where he was graduated in 1941.It is so sad that after being spared two years duty overseas he should meet his death in a plane crash here in the United States.
"Words can do little to convey sympathy that will be helpful, but I do wish you to know that we at the University are thinking of you and other members of you family at this time…. The University will ever honor your son's life and service." (bio by:Tom Reece)
After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in October 1941 and received his pilot wings and his commission at Moody Field, Ga., in May 1942. He went to North Africa in January 1943 and participated in the invasions of Sicily, Italy and Normandy. He received the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster during two years of service overseas.
He returned to his home for 21 days leave in December 1944.
On April 20, 1945, Rawls was flying as co-pilot of a C-47 transport aircraft en route from Midland Army Air Field, Midland, Texas, to Paterson, N.J. The aircraft crashed three and a half miles south of Sweetwater, Texas, killing all aboard.
Alumni Secretary J. Maryon "Spike" Saunders '25 wrote to Rawls' mother:
"The news of the death of your son, Captain John Robison Rawls, brings sincere sorrow to us at the University where he was graduated in 1941.It is so sad that after being spared two years duty overseas he should meet his death in a plane crash here in the United States.
"Words can do little to convey sympathy that will be helpful, but I do wish you to know that we at the University are thinking of you and other members of you family at this time…. The University will ever honor your son's life and service." (bio by:Tom Reece)
Rawls graduated from Lee Edwards High School and attended Biltmore College in Asheville before transferring to UNC in 1937. While attending UNC, he was on the staff of The Buccaneer, the campus humor magazine, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in October 1941 and received his pilot wings and his commission at Moody Field, Ga., in May 1942. He went to North Africa in January 1943 and participated in the invasions of Sicily, Italy and Normandy. He received the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster during two years of service overseas.
He returned to his home for 21 days leave in December 1944.
On April 20, 1945, Rawls was flying as co-pilot of a C-47 transport aircraft en route from Midland Army Air Field, Midland, Texas, to Paterson, N.J. The aircraft crashed three and a half miles south of Sweetwater, Texas, killing all aboard.
Alumni Secretary J. Maryon "Spike" Saunders '25 wrote to Rawls' mother:
"The news of the death of your son, Captain John Robison Rawls, brings sincere sorrow to us at the University where he was graduated in 1941.It is so sad that after being spared two years duty overseas he should meet his death in a plane crash here in the United States.
"Words can do little to convey sympathy that will be helpful, but I do wish you to know that we at the University are thinking of you and other members of you family at this time…. The University will ever honor your son's life and service." (bio by:Tom Reece)
After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in October 1941 and received his pilot wings and his commission at Moody Field, Ga., in May 1942. He went to North Africa in January 1943 and participated in the invasions of Sicily, Italy and Normandy. He received the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster during two years of service overseas.
He returned to his home for 21 days leave in December 1944.
On April 20, 1945, Rawls was flying as co-pilot of a C-47 transport aircraft en route from Midland Army Air Field, Midland, Texas, to Paterson, N.J. The aircraft crashed three and a half miles south of Sweetwater, Texas, killing all aboard.
Alumni Secretary J. Maryon "Spike" Saunders '25 wrote to Rawls' mother:
"The news of the death of your son, Captain John Robison Rawls, brings sincere sorrow to us at the University where he was graduated in 1941.It is so sad that after being spared two years duty overseas he should meet his death in a plane crash here in the United States.
"Words can do little to convey sympathy that will be helpful, but I do wish you to know that we at the University are thinking of you and other members of you family at this time…. The University will ever honor your son's life and service." (bio by:Tom Reece)
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