The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Airman’s Medal to Staff Sergeant John E. Lawson, Jr., United States Air Force, for heroism involving risk of life at Burghfield Common, Berkshire, England, on 4 August 1989. On that date, Sergeant Lawson heard repeated screams by a female neighbor. He immediately investigated the situation and found the neighbor’s house engulfed in flames, several passive spectators, and the hysterical woman ready to throw her two children from the second story window. He immediately directed one onlooker to call the fire brigade and another to assure the woman someone was coming to help and to persuade her not to throw her children out the window. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Lawson rushed into the burning house, crawled on his hands and knees through the smoke-filled house, and made his way upstairs to the trapped, hysterical mother and children. Severely frightened by near zero visibility because of intense smoke, the distraught woman was reluctant to leave the house by the stairway. Despite the extreme danger to his own life and the woman’s reticence, Sergeant Lawson persevered in his heroic effort. He took one child in his arms and pulled the woman carrying the other child and successfully removed three people from the burning dwelling. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellowman, Sergeant Lawson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.