Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Benning, Georgia is named in his honor.
killed in an airplane accident at Dayton, had a remarkable record during World War I and received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in action. He served during part of 1919 as Chief of the Civil Operations Section in the office of the Chief of the Army Air Service.
He was born on Oct. 25, 1893, at Glenn Alter, Ga. His home was at Kissimmee, Fla., and he was survived by a wife and two children. He was a member of the Alabama National Guard when the war started. He went overseas with the Rainbow Division. In February, 1918, he was detailed to the Air Service and served as Operations Officer and Aerial Observer until November, 1918.
Capt. Lawson was born at Glen Alter, Ga. He received his education in local schools and was mustered into federal service with the Alabama National Guard as a second lieutenant in June, 1916. A short while later he went overseas as an infantryman, but later became a pilot and served with the 91st Aero Squadron as operations officer and aerial observer. He also took flying instructions with the 41st French Escadrille.
He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guerre for repeated acts of heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, from July 10 to Sept. 13, 1918. He showed unusual courage in a reconnoissance flight over the enemy lines, when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by anti-aircraft fire. On Sept. 13, 1918, while still convalescing from his wounds, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a seventy-five kilometer flight over the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was fored to fly at a low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by anti-aircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
When he returned to the United States after the armistice he served as instructor at the School for Aerial Observers, at Post Field, Fort Sill, Okla., from Dec. 1, 1918, to April, 1919. Since November, 1919, he had served continuously at Langley Field. At the time of his death he was commanding the Twentieth Bombardment Squadron.
Flew with General Billy Mitchell and a squadron mate of Jimmy Doolittle. Described by General Mitchell as "the greatest bombing officer of the war (WWI) and the greatest man in aerial bombardment in any country." He was killed when his airplane crashed into the Miami River after taking off from McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio.
Surviving Capt. Lawson were his wife,May Elaine Overstreet Lawson, and three children. Mrs. Lawson resided in Kissimmee Fla. Their son Walter Jr, a U. S. Military Academy graduate at West Point, N.Y., was a colonel. Thomas their other son, also is a West Point graduate was teaching high school in Connecticut. Their daughter, Elaine, is married to an Air Force sergeant
NOTE: The Captain's son, Walter R. Lawson, Jr., Colonel, United States Army, is also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Walter Lawson (46501495)
Suggested edit: LAWSON, WALTER RALLS
Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army
Observer, 91st Aero Squadron, Air Service, A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 30 & September 13, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter Rolls Lawson, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, July 30 and September 13, 1918. Captain Lawson showed rare courage on a reconnaissance far over the enemy lines when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by antiaircraft fire. On September 13, although he was still convalescing from his wound, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a flight of 75 kilometers within the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was forced to fly at a dangerously low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by antiaircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
Birth: , GA
Home Town: Birmingham, AL
Contributor: Mark Sullivan (49939722)
killed in an airplane accident at Dayton, had a remarkable record during World War I and received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in action. He served during part of 1919 as Chief of the Civil Operations Section in the office of the Chief of the Army Air Service.
He was born on Oct. 25, 1893, at Glenn Alter, Ga. His home was at Kissimmee, Fla., and he was survived by a wife and two children. He was a member of the Alabama National Guard when the war started. He went overseas with the Rainbow Division. In February, 1918, he was detailed to the Air Service and served as Operations Officer and Aerial Observer until November, 1918.
Capt. Lawson was born at Glen Alter, Ga. He received his education in local schools and was mustered into federal service with the Alabama National Guard as a second lieutenant in June, 1916. A short while later he went overseas as an infantryman, but later became a pilot and served with the 91st Aero Squadron as operations officer and aerial observer. He also took flying instructions with the 41st French Escadrille.
He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guerre for repeated acts of heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, from July 10 to Sept. 13, 1918. He showed unusual courage in a reconnoissance flight over the enemy lines, when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by anti-aircraft fire. On Sept. 13, 1918, while still convalescing from his wounds, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a seventy-five kilometer flight over the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was fored to fly at a low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by anti-aircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
When he returned to the United States after the armistice he served as instructor at the School for Aerial Observers, at Post Field, Fort Sill, Okla., from Dec. 1, 1918, to April, 1919. Since November, 1919, he had served continuously at Langley Field. At the time of his death he was commanding the Twentieth Bombardment Squadron.
Flew with General Billy Mitchell and a squadron mate of Jimmy Doolittle. Described by General Mitchell as "the greatest bombing officer of the war (WWI) and the greatest man in aerial bombardment in any country." He was killed when his airplane crashed into the Miami River after taking off from McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio.
Surviving Capt. Lawson were his wife,May Elaine Overstreet Lawson, and three children. Mrs. Lawson resided in Kissimmee Fla. Their son Walter Jr, a U. S. Military Academy graduate at West Point, N.Y., was a colonel. Thomas their other son, also is a West Point graduate was teaching high school in Connecticut. Their daughter, Elaine, is married to an Air Force sergeant
NOTE: The Captain's son, Walter R. Lawson, Jr., Colonel, United States Army, is also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Walter Lawson (46501495)
Suggested edit: LAWSON, WALTER RALLS
Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army
Observer, 91st Aero Squadron, Air Service, A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 30 & September 13, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter Rolls Lawson, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, July 30 and September 13, 1918. Captain Lawson showed rare courage on a reconnaissance far over the enemy lines when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by antiaircraft fire. On September 13, although he was still convalescing from his wound, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a flight of 75 kilometers within the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was forced to fly at a dangerously low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by antiaircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
Birth: , GA
Home Town: Birmingham, AL
Contributor: Mark Sullivan (49939722)
Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Benning, Georgia is named in his honor.
killed in an airplane accident at Dayton, had a remarkable record during World War I and received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in action. He served during part of 1919 as Chief of the Civil Operations Section in the office of the Chief of the Army Air Service.
He was born on Oct. 25, 1893, at Glenn Alter, Ga. His home was at Kissimmee, Fla., and he was survived by a wife and two children. He was a member of the Alabama National Guard when the war started. He went overseas with the Rainbow Division. In February, 1918, he was detailed to the Air Service and served as Operations Officer and Aerial Observer until November, 1918.
Capt. Lawson was born at Glen Alter, Ga. He received his education in local schools and was mustered into federal service with the Alabama National Guard as a second lieutenant in June, 1916. A short while later he went overseas as an infantryman, but later became a pilot and served with the 91st Aero Squadron as operations officer and aerial observer. He also took flying instructions with the 41st French Escadrille.
He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guerre for repeated acts of heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, from July 10 to Sept. 13, 1918. He showed unusual courage in a reconnoissance flight over the enemy lines, when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by anti-aircraft fire. On Sept. 13, 1918, while still convalescing from his wounds, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a seventy-five kilometer flight over the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was fored to fly at a low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by anti-aircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
When he returned to the United States after the armistice he served as instructor at the School for Aerial Observers, at Post Field, Fort Sill, Okla., from Dec. 1, 1918, to April, 1919. Since November, 1919, he had served continuously at Langley Field. At the time of his death he was commanding the Twentieth Bombardment Squadron.
Flew with General Billy Mitchell and a squadron mate of Jimmy Doolittle. Described by General Mitchell as "the greatest bombing officer of the war (WWI) and the greatest man in aerial bombardment in any country." He was killed when his airplane crashed into the Miami River after taking off from McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio.
Surviving Capt. Lawson were his wife,May Elaine Overstreet Lawson, and three children. Mrs. Lawson resided in Kissimmee Fla. Their son Walter Jr, a U. S. Military Academy graduate at West Point, N.Y., was a colonel. Thomas their other son, also is a West Point graduate was teaching high school in Connecticut. Their daughter, Elaine, is married to an Air Force sergeant
NOTE: The Captain's son, Walter R. Lawson, Jr., Colonel, United States Army, is also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Walter Lawson (46501495)
Suggested edit: LAWSON, WALTER RALLS
Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army
Observer, 91st Aero Squadron, Air Service, A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 30 & September 13, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter Rolls Lawson, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, July 30 and September 13, 1918. Captain Lawson showed rare courage on a reconnaissance far over the enemy lines when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by antiaircraft fire. On September 13, although he was still convalescing from his wound, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a flight of 75 kilometers within the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was forced to fly at a dangerously low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by antiaircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
Birth: , GA
Home Town: Birmingham, AL
Contributor: Mark Sullivan (49939722)
killed in an airplane accident at Dayton, had a remarkable record during World War I and received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in action. He served during part of 1919 as Chief of the Civil Operations Section in the office of the Chief of the Army Air Service.
He was born on Oct. 25, 1893, at Glenn Alter, Ga. His home was at Kissimmee, Fla., and he was survived by a wife and two children. He was a member of the Alabama National Guard when the war started. He went overseas with the Rainbow Division. In February, 1918, he was detailed to the Air Service and served as Operations Officer and Aerial Observer until November, 1918.
Capt. Lawson was born at Glen Alter, Ga. He received his education in local schools and was mustered into federal service with the Alabama National Guard as a second lieutenant in June, 1916. A short while later he went overseas as an infantryman, but later became a pilot and served with the 91st Aero Squadron as operations officer and aerial observer. He also took flying instructions with the 41st French Escadrille.
He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guerre for repeated acts of heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, from July 10 to Sept. 13, 1918. He showed unusual courage in a reconnoissance flight over the enemy lines, when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by anti-aircraft fire. On Sept. 13, 1918, while still convalescing from his wounds, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a seventy-five kilometer flight over the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was fored to fly at a low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by anti-aircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
When he returned to the United States after the armistice he served as instructor at the School for Aerial Observers, at Post Field, Fort Sill, Okla., from Dec. 1, 1918, to April, 1919. Since November, 1919, he had served continuously at Langley Field. At the time of his death he was commanding the Twentieth Bombardment Squadron.
Flew with General Billy Mitchell and a squadron mate of Jimmy Doolittle. Described by General Mitchell as "the greatest bombing officer of the war (WWI) and the greatest man in aerial bombardment in any country." He was killed when his airplane crashed into the Miami River after taking off from McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio.
Surviving Capt. Lawson were his wife,May Elaine Overstreet Lawson, and three children. Mrs. Lawson resided in Kissimmee Fla. Their son Walter Jr, a U. S. Military Academy graduate at West Point, N.Y., was a colonel. Thomas their other son, also is a West Point graduate was teaching high school in Connecticut. Their daughter, Elaine, is married to an Air Force sergeant
NOTE: The Captain's son, Walter R. Lawson, Jr., Colonel, United States Army, is also buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Walter Lawson (46501495)
Suggested edit: LAWSON, WALTER RALLS
Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army
Observer, 91st Aero Squadron, Air Service, A.E.F.
Date of Action: July 30 & September 13, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter Rolls Lawson, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, July 30 and September 13, 1918. Captain Lawson showed rare courage on a reconnaissance far over the enemy lines when he continued on his mission after being seriously wounded by antiaircraft fire. On September 13, although he was still convalescing from his wound, he volunteered for a particularly dangerous mission requiring a flight of 75 kilometers within the enemy lines. Because of weather conditions he was forced to fly at a dangerously low altitude and was repeatedly fired on by antiaircraft and machine guns. He successfully accomplished his mission and returned with important information.
General Orders No. 21, W.D., 1919
Birth: , GA
Home Town: Birmingham, AL
Contributor: Mark Sullivan (49939722)
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
