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.

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.