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John
Creig
Lawrence
November 3, 1917

–

May 11, 2002

John Lawrence graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1939. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Batallion:

    Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10)

    Regiment:

    Combat Air Group 10 (CAG-10)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Intrepid (CV-11)

    Action Date:

    April 7, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0658 (October 2, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Creig Lawrence (NSN: 0-82490), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a Navy Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron TEN (VT-10) and Flight Leader of a group of carrier-based Torpedo Aircraft of Combat Air Group TEN (CAG-10), attached to the U.S.S. INTREPID (CV-11), in a Fleet action in the vicinity of the island of Kyushu on 7 April 1945. In the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire he skillfully and courageously directed and led a successful torpedo attack against major units of the Japanese Fleet including a battleship, a cruiser and nine destroyers. During the action he attacked a large enemy destroyer, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and under unfavorable weather conditions, scoring a direct hit with his torpedo which contributed materially to the sinking of the vessel immediately after the attack. His skill and courageous leadership were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    March 18, 1945
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0658 (October 2, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander John Creig Lawrence (NSN: 0-82490), United States Navy, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as leader of a Torpedo Plane Squadron in a strike against enemy naval air installations in the vicinity of the Japanese home island of Kyushu on 18 March 1945. In spite of unfavorable weather conditions which necessitated a low altitude attack and in the face of anti-aircraft fire he led his squadron in a glide bombing attack with great skill and determination. He personally scored four direct bomb hits on a large hangar and the rest of his squadron scored many bomb hits on hangars, parked airplanes, fuel tanks and other enemy air installations. Great damage to this enemy naval air base in the Japanese homeland was caused by the attack. His courage, determination and devotion to duty in leading the attack were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.