Vice Admiral William Porter Lawrence, USN
[Panel 1:]
"Be first a person of honor."
Test Pilot - First to fly Mach II in Naval Aircraft
Korea, F2H Banshee
Vietnam, F-4 Phantom
Prisoner of War, Vietnam 1967-1973
Superintendent, United States Naval Academy
Commander, U.S. Third Fleet
Chief, U.S. Naval Personnel
[Panel 2:]
Distinguished Service Medal (4)
Silver Star(3)
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star with Combat V
Purple Heart (2)
Air Medal (3)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V (2)
Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Unit Commendation (with Silver Star)
POW Medal
National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star)
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (3 Bronze Stars)
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
[Panel 3:]
USNA Brigade Commander
USNA Three sport athlete
Gold Medal, National Football Foundation
and College Hall of Fame
USNA Brigade Honor Concept, co-developer
USNA Distinguished Graduate
The first verse of the "Star-Spangled Banner" asks a question:
O' say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
"As long as our country has great patriots like Bill
Lawrence, the answer to this question will forever be
a resounding, Yes!" - Ross Perot
[Panel 4:]
"And o'er the world as I may roam,
No place exceeds my boyhood home.
And oh how much I long to see
My Native land, my Tennessee."
-Composed by-
William Porter Lawrence
while in solitary confinement as a Vietnam POW
- Designated State Poem of Tennessee
Marker is on Cooper Road just south of Holloway Road, on the left when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
