My name is George Lawson, Jr., and I served aboard seven Aircraft Carriers as an Aviation Ordinance man.
I am a retired Chief Petty Officer (Aviation Warfare Specialist) with the United States Navy and served for 20 years. My family has served in every war from the American Revolutionary war to current day. Some were POW’s, some came home, and some gave all. I served on the VF31 off the USS Saratoga CV60 / VF74 off the USS Forestal CV59 / VA95 off the USS Enterprise CVN65 / VAQ 141 off the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN71 Desert Storm (Flight Deck)
My Great Great Great Great Grandfather Moremon Lawson was in the Revolutionary War and served at Yorktown. Great Great Grandfather Jasper Newton Jackson Dingus enlisted as a Sergeant 3rd Class on June 27,1861 in Company A, 50th Infantry Regiment Virginia. He was hospitalized on July 25, 1861 at Wytheville, VA and returned to duty on November 1, 1861 (Estimated day). Although hospitalized a few more times, he returned to duty on August 18, 1863. At dawn on May 12, Hancock’s Union corps attacked the Confederate mule-shoe salient at a section that became known as “Bloody Angle,” capturing most of a rebel division of and nearly splitting Lee’s army in half. As he had done in the Battle of the Wilderness, General Lee himself tried to lead the rebels in a counterattack, only to be ordered to the rear by his soldiers. Sergeant Dingus became a POW on May 12, 1864, when he was captured at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He was marched 324 miles to Point Lookout, MD and marched to and confined on August 2,1864 at Elmira, NY. He died of disease as a POW while still assigned to Co A, 50th Infantry Regiment Virginia on January 14,1865.
Grandfather John Henry (Jahue) Lawson was in WWI. Great Uncle Roy Lawson served with the 27th I.D. 105th I.R. Pacific in WWII and was killed at Shuri Ridge in Okinawa April 28, 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Great Uncle Tandy Day, also in WWII was with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific, and also a China Marine. Great Uncle Oral Day was WWII, serving with the 9th Armored Division in Europe. They captured Stalag 9b in Badorb, Germany. Uncle Roy Parsons was a sniper in WWII Big Red One, later became wounded and received the Bronze Star. My father, George Lawson served in the Korean War. None of the family spoke of their wartime experiences.
I enlisted to better my life for my wife and children. The worst part was the uncertainty of not coming home alive. My greatest fear was never seeing my family again. My service experience did not change me until years later, as I researched my family history and their service. My service experience gave me confidence, in all areas of my life. Many of the men I served under saw something in me, and took their time in mentoring me. One man especially, Warrant Officer Earl Reep, who was our Weapons Officer, an amazing man whom we called Gunner. Gunner Reep had a profound effect on my life and I thank him for it. The group photo is when I was asked to speak onboard the USS Nimitz for POW/MIA Day a couple of years ago when I was retired.
In closing, be selective about what books you read such as The American Saint Nick, the movies you watch like Band of Brothers, family military stories you research, and the veterans you thank each and every day for this may inspire you to go beyond any expectation you have ever dreamed. The people I have met, the lives that have inspired me, the historical figures I’ve come face to face with has both been a privilege and an honor. However, my #1 Hero is my wife Vicki Jo.
I am currently an active Firefighter/EMT and WWII Researcher and freelance for National Geographic, Portraits of US, Veterans Voices: Remarkable Stories of Heroism, Sacrifices, and Honor.
~ George Lawson, Navy Veteran
We are grateful to George for sharing his service and story with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper, where we are all connected.
God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.
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