Jack was raised in Farmington, NH, where he was graduated in 1956 from Farmington High School. He attended the University of New Hampshire for a year before entering the United States Military Academy with the Class of 1961, graduating in June of that year. He chose Artillery as his branch and he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Between those tours, he was assigned as an instructor in the ROTC Program at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
On his first tour in Vietnam he served as the Civil Affairs Officer (S-5), 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. During Operation Cedar Falls in January of 1967, the Brigade Intelligence Officer (S-2) approached him with a Viet Cong prisoner who claimed to know the location of a weapons cache. Jack led a small patrol to find the find the cache and discovered that it was in a tunnel complex. Since he had no "tunnel rats" (tunnel clearing personnel) available, Jack took it upon himself to enter the complex, where he discovered a substantial enemy weapons cache. For his action and conspicuous valor, he was awarded the Silver Star.
Jack returned to Vietnam in November of 1970 as a member of MACV's Advisory Team 91 in Binh Duong Province. On 16 September 1971, the District Personnel Officer (S-1) was ambushed en route to a meeting at Province Headquarters. Jack, by now a Major, assembled an ad hoc unit to relieve the ambushed group, but as his relief column moved to the aid of their beleaguered comrades, they too were ambushed. Jack was in the lead and was severely wounded in the initial exchange, but he succeeded in repulsing the Viet Cong assault before being mortally wounded. Thereafter, his unit successfully broke out of their dire situation and joined friendly forces. Jack was posthumously awarded his second Silver Star for his courageous actions.
Well done, Jack. Be thou at peace.
(Thanks go to The Virtual Wall - Vietnam Veterans Memorial at www.VirtualWall.org for the information on Jack's military service.)
Silver Star Citation (1967)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 17 January 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, during Operation CEDAR FALLS, Captain Lawrence obtained information from a former Viet Cong of the presence of an enemy weapons cache and tunnel complex near Bong Cong village. Captain Lawrence unhesitatingly volunteered to lead the informant and an interpreter to investigate the suspected site. Captain Lawrence traveled several miles through dense, Viet Cong infested jungle exposing himself to enemy sniper fire while en route to his objective. Upon reaching the site, he was subjected to intense small arms fire from an enemy squad guarding the cache. Captain Lawrence, with complete disregard for his personal safety, braved the intense enemy fire as he placed accurate rifle fire on the Viet Cong and threw hand grenades into their position. Captain Lawrence's aggressive action completely disorganized the insurgents and forced them to withdraw. He then entered the tunnel and captured several weapons and numerous documents vital to his unit's operation. Captain Lawrence's unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.
Action Date: 17-Jan-67
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Company: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
Regiment: 2d Brigade
Division: 1st Infantry Division
Silver Star Citation (1971)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving Advisory Team 91, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Major Lawrence distinguished himself on 16 September 1971, while serving as District Senior Advisor, Tri Tam District, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Major Lawrence, upon receiving news that the District S1 Officer and five other personnel had been ambushed and killed by an approximate company-size North Vietnamese Army Unit,, led a reaction force consisting of the 108th Popular Forces Platoon, the 46th Popular Forces Platoon, the District Intelligence Squad, one platoon from the 396th Regional Forces Company and a National Police Team. Upon reaching the location of the first ambush, the force led by Major Lawrence was engaged by the enemy and received severe mortar, rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire. While leading the reaction force and directing their deployment in action, Major Lawrence killed at least two enemy soldiers before being killed himself. Following his valiant and courageous example, the surviving members of the reaction force, despite their decided tactical advantage, ultimately broke the enemy defenses and destroyed their positions. Major Lawrence's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflected great credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4376 (1971)
Action Date: 16-Sep-71
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Company: Advisory Team 91
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
On his first tour in Vietnam he served as the Civil Affairs Officer (S-5), 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. During Operation Cedar Falls in January of 1967, the Brigade Intelligence Officer (S-2) approached him with a Viet Cong prisoner who claimed to know the location of a weapons cache. Jack led a small patrol to find the find the cache and discovered that it was in a tunnel complex. Since he had no "tunnel rats" (tunnel clearing personnel) available, Jack took it upon himself to enter the complex, where he discovered a substantial enemy weapons cache. For his action and conspicuous valor, he was awarded the Silver Star.
Jack returned to Vietnam in November of 1970 as a member of MACV's Advisory Team 91 in Binh Duong Province. On 16 September 1971, the District Personnel Officer (S-1) was ambushed en route to a meeting at Province Headquarters. Jack, by now a Major, assembled an ad hoc unit to relieve the ambushed group, but as his relief column moved to the aid of their beleaguered comrades, they too were ambushed. Jack was in the lead and was severely wounded in the initial exchange, but he succeeded in repulsing the Viet Cong assault before being mortally wounded. Thereafter, his unit successfully broke out of their dire situation and joined friendly forces. Jack was posthumously awarded his second Silver Star for his courageous actions.
Well done, Jack. Be thou at peace.
(Thanks go to The Virtual Wall - Vietnam Veterans Memorial at www.VirtualWall.org for the information on Jack's military service.)
Silver Star Citation (1967)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 17 January 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, during Operation CEDAR FALLS, Captain Lawrence obtained information from a former Viet Cong of the presence of an enemy weapons cache and tunnel complex near Bong Cong village. Captain Lawrence unhesitatingly volunteered to lead the informant and an interpreter to investigate the suspected site. Captain Lawrence traveled several miles through dense, Viet Cong infested jungle exposing himself to enemy sniper fire while en route to his objective. Upon reaching the site, he was subjected to intense small arms fire from an enemy squad guarding the cache. Captain Lawrence, with complete disregard for his personal safety, braved the intense enemy fire as he placed accurate rifle fire on the Viet Cong and threw hand grenades into their position. Captain Lawrence's aggressive action completely disorganized the insurgents and forced them to withdraw. He then entered the tunnel and captured several weapons and numerous documents vital to his unit's operation. Captain Lawrence's unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.
Action Date: 17-Jan-67
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Company: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
Regiment: 2d Brigade
Division: 1st Infantry Division
Silver Star Citation (1971)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving Advisory Team 91, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Major Lawrence distinguished himself on 16 September 1971, while serving as District Senior Advisor, Tri Tam District, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Major Lawrence, upon receiving news that the District S1 Officer and five other personnel had been ambushed and killed by an approximate company-size North Vietnamese Army Unit,, led a reaction force consisting of the 108th Popular Forces Platoon, the 46th Popular Forces Platoon, the District Intelligence Squad, one platoon from the 396th Regional Forces Company and a National Police Team. Upon reaching the location of the first ambush, the force led by Major Lawrence was engaged by the enemy and received severe mortar, rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire. While leading the reaction force and directing their deployment in action, Major Lawrence killed at least two enemy soldiers before being killed himself. Following his valiant and courageous example, the surviving members of the reaction force, despite their decided tactical advantage, ultimately broke the enemy defenses and destroyed their positions. Major Lawrence's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflected great credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4376 (1971)
Action Date: 16-Sep-71
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Company: Advisory Team 91
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Jack was raised in Farmington, NH, where he was graduated in 1956 from Farmington High School. He attended the University of New Hampshire for a year before entering the United States Military Academy with the Class of 1961, graduating in June of that year. He chose Artillery as his branch and he served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Between those tours, he was assigned as an instructor in the ROTC Program at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
On his first tour in Vietnam he served as the Civil Affairs Officer (S-5), 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. During Operation Cedar Falls in January of 1967, the Brigade Intelligence Officer (S-2) approached him with a Viet Cong prisoner who claimed to know the location of a weapons cache. Jack led a small patrol to find the find the cache and discovered that it was in a tunnel complex. Since he had no "tunnel rats" (tunnel clearing personnel) available, Jack took it upon himself to enter the complex, where he discovered a substantial enemy weapons cache. For his action and conspicuous valor, he was awarded the Silver Star.
Jack returned to Vietnam in November of 1970 as a member of MACV's Advisory Team 91 in Binh Duong Province. On 16 September 1971, the District Personnel Officer (S-1) was ambushed en route to a meeting at Province Headquarters. Jack, by now a Major, assembled an ad hoc unit to relieve the ambushed group, but as his relief column moved to the aid of their beleaguered comrades, they too were ambushed. Jack was in the lead and was severely wounded in the initial exchange, but he succeeded in repulsing the Viet Cong assault before being mortally wounded. Thereafter, his unit successfully broke out of their dire situation and joined friendly forces. Jack was posthumously awarded his second Silver Star for his courageous actions.
Well done, Jack. Be thou at peace.
(Thanks go to The Virtual Wall - Vietnam Veterans Memorial at www.VirtualWall.org for the information on Jack's military service.)
Silver Star Citation (1967)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 17 January 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, during Operation CEDAR FALLS, Captain Lawrence obtained information from a former Viet Cong of the presence of an enemy weapons cache and tunnel complex near Bong Cong village. Captain Lawrence unhesitatingly volunteered to lead the informant and an interpreter to investigate the suspected site. Captain Lawrence traveled several miles through dense, Viet Cong infested jungle exposing himself to enemy sniper fire while en route to his objective. Upon reaching the site, he was subjected to intense small arms fire from an enemy squad guarding the cache. Captain Lawrence, with complete disregard for his personal safety, braved the intense enemy fire as he placed accurate rifle fire on the Viet Cong and threw hand grenades into their position. Captain Lawrence's aggressive action completely disorganized the insurgents and forced them to withdraw. He then entered the tunnel and captured several weapons and numerous documents vital to his unit's operation. Captain Lawrence's unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.
Action Date: 17-Jan-67
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Company: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
Regiment: 2d Brigade
Division: 1st Infantry Division
Silver Star Citation (1971)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving Advisory Team 91, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Major Lawrence distinguished himself on 16 September 1971, while serving as District Senior Advisor, Tri Tam District, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Major Lawrence, upon receiving news that the District S1 Officer and five other personnel had been ambushed and killed by an approximate company-size North Vietnamese Army Unit,, led a reaction force consisting of the 108th Popular Forces Platoon, the 46th Popular Forces Platoon, the District Intelligence Squad, one platoon from the 396th Regional Forces Company and a National Police Team. Upon reaching the location of the first ambush, the force led by Major Lawrence was engaged by the enemy and received severe mortar, rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire. While leading the reaction force and directing their deployment in action, Major Lawrence killed at least two enemy soldiers before being killed himself. Following his valiant and courageous example, the surviving members of the reaction force, despite their decided tactical advantage, ultimately broke the enemy defenses and destroyed their positions. Major Lawrence's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflected great credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4376 (1971)
Action Date: 16-Sep-71
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Company: Advisory Team 91
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
On his first tour in Vietnam he served as the Civil Affairs Officer (S-5), 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. During Operation Cedar Falls in January of 1967, the Brigade Intelligence Officer (S-2) approached him with a Viet Cong prisoner who claimed to know the location of a weapons cache. Jack led a small patrol to find the find the cache and discovered that it was in a tunnel complex. Since he had no "tunnel rats" (tunnel clearing personnel) available, Jack took it upon himself to enter the complex, where he discovered a substantial enemy weapons cache. For his action and conspicuous valor, he was awarded the Silver Star.
Jack returned to Vietnam in November of 1970 as a member of MACV's Advisory Team 91 in Binh Duong Province. On 16 September 1971, the District Personnel Officer (S-1) was ambushed en route to a meeting at Province Headquarters. Jack, by now a Major, assembled an ad hoc unit to relieve the ambushed group, but as his relief column moved to the aid of their beleaguered comrades, they too were ambushed. Jack was in the lead and was severely wounded in the initial exchange, but he succeeded in repulsing the Viet Cong assault before being mortally wounded. Thereafter, his unit successfully broke out of their dire situation and joined friendly forces. Jack was posthumously awarded his second Silver Star for his courageous actions.
Well done, Jack. Be thou at peace.
(Thanks go to The Virtual Wall - Vietnam Veterans Memorial at www.VirtualWall.org for the information on Jack's military service.)
Silver Star Citation (1967)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in action on 17 January 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, during Operation CEDAR FALLS, Captain Lawrence obtained information from a former Viet Cong of the presence of an enemy weapons cache and tunnel complex near Bong Cong village. Captain Lawrence unhesitatingly volunteered to lead the informant and an interpreter to investigate the suspected site. Captain Lawrence traveled several miles through dense, Viet Cong infested jungle exposing himself to enemy sniper fire while en route to his objective. Upon reaching the site, he was subjected to intense small arms fire from an enemy squad guarding the cache. Captain Lawrence, with complete disregard for his personal safety, braved the intense enemy fire as he placed accurate rifle fire on the Viet Cong and threw hand grenades into their position. Captain Lawrence's aggressive action completely disorganized the insurgents and forced them to withdraw. He then entered the tunnel and captured several weapons and numerous documents vital to his unit's operation. Captain Lawrence's unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division and the United States Army.
Action Date: 17-Jan-67
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Company: Headquarters and Headquarters Company
Regiment: 2d Brigade
Division: 1st Infantry Division
Silver Star Citation (1971)
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Major (Air Defense Artillery) John Winslow Lawrence, Jr. (ASN: 0-93798), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving Advisory Team 91, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Major Lawrence distinguished himself on 16 September 1971, while serving as District Senior Advisor, Tri Tam District, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Major Lawrence, upon receiving news that the District S1 Officer and five other personnel had been ambushed and killed by an approximate company-size North Vietnamese Army Unit,, led a reaction force consisting of the 108th Popular Forces Platoon, the 46th Popular Forces Platoon, the District Intelligence Squad, one platoon from the 396th Regional Forces Company and a National Police Team. Upon reaching the location of the first ambush, the force led by Major Lawrence was engaged by the enemy and received severe mortar, rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire. While leading the reaction force and directing their deployment in action, Major Lawrence killed at least two enemy soldiers before being killed himself. Following his valiant and courageous example, the surviving members of the reaction force, despite their decided tactical advantage, ultimately broke the enemy defenses and destroyed their positions. Major Lawrence's conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflected great credit upon himself and the military service.
General Orders: Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4376 (1971)
Action Date: 16-Sep-71
Service: Army
Rank: Major
Company: Advisory Team 91
Division: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
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