United States Navy Admiral. He left his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee to attend the United States Naval Academy where he played three sports, became class president and finished in the top ten academically in his class. He became a test pilot and was the first naval aviator to fly twice the speed of sound. He was shot down over North Vietnam in June of 1967 and was held as a prisoner of war until March of 1973. Upon his return to the United States, he served as superintendent to the Naval Academy, chief of naval personnel, president of the Association of Naval Aviation and promoted to rear admiral. A poem he created while in captivity, "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee", was named the state's official poem in 1973. Two weeks before his death he finished his memoir, "Tennessee Patriot". His military decorations included four Distinguished Service Medals, three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
United States Navy Admiral. He left his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee to attend the United States Naval Academy where he played three sports, became class president and finished in the top ten academically in his class. He became a test pilot and was the first naval aviator to fly twice the speed of sound. He was shot down over North Vietnam in June of 1967 and was held as a prisoner of war until March of 1973. Upon his return to the United States, he served as superintendent to the Naval Academy, chief of naval personnel, president of the Association of Naval Aviation and promoted to rear admiral. A poem he created while in captivity, "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee", was named the state's official poem in 1973. Two weeks before his death he finished his memoir, "Tennessee Patriot". His military decorations included four Distinguished Service Medals, three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bio by: Bigwoo
Inscription
WILLIAM PORTER LAWRENCE
1930
2005
BE FIRST A PERSON OF HONOR
FIGHTER PILOT COMMANDER US THIRD FLEET
VIETNAM POW CHIEF OF NAVAL PERSONNEL
SUPERINTENDENT USNA
TENNESSEE POET LAUREATE
“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.”
1928 DIANE
TO EACH OTHER, A LIFELINE
DON’T CRY BECAUSE ITS OVER,
SMILE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED
Family Members
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