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Ex-Harrogate Soldier Decorated for Action(l TJib Bronze Sinv Medal withV” device 1ms been presented poKihumoii^ly In Specialist 4 Karl W. Lawson, ^0, son of Mr, and Mrs. Karl R, Lawson, farmer Harrogate, Tenn, residents.Lawson, a Green Bevel, was killed in Vietnam April 0 two days after his battlefield heroics. Another tragedy beiell his family svhen Lawson's body fell from a helicopter sling into (he Vietnam jungle and was noL recovered.Lawson bad completed a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam but had volunteered for anolher six-month tour, lie returned to the slates after the first lour and wns married only two weeks before going back lu the war ai an. He was hilled two weeks after returning to battle. His widow, Mrs, Elizabeth A. Lawson lives in Fredericksburg, Va.The circumstances of Lawson’s death were explained by Ids commanding officers in letters U) hi,s wife.Lawson was killed April 9 when a friendly art ill cry round fell too close to his position. The only means of evacuation was to place the body in a sling suspended from a helicopter.While the helicopter was en-route lo another location thebody became unfastened from the sling and fell into [he jungle area under control of hostile forces. A search was made but the body was not recovered.The Bronze Star presented last week was for bravery during a two-company search and destroy operation in the Quang Tai area near the DMZ on April 7. The citation said Lawson exposed himself to a heavy volume of enemy fire with complete disregard for his personal safety.It said Lawson's action rallied the platoon and led them in valiant assault on the enemy which completely routed the resistance. Lawson then regrouped Ihe platoon after the platoon leader had been immobilized by it wound and established a perimeter in the event of a counterattack.Lawson then admin isle red first aid to the platoon leader and coordinated a link-up with the rest of the company.Lawson was also presented posthumously I he Army Commendation Medal. He was the ggrandson of Mrs. J. H. Brooks Sr., Middlesboro. His parents now live in Terre Haute, Ind.
Newspaper Details
Middlesboro Daily News
Middlesboro, Kentucky, US
Thu, Oct 17, 1968
Page 9
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 21 Jul 2020
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