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BRUCE
EDWARD LAWRENCE
United
States Air Force First Lieutenant, Bruce Edward Lawrence, a native
of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, was 25 years of age when he died, in
the early hours of July 5, 1968, after his F-4C Phantom II aircraft
was shot down by enemy ground fire during an armed reconnaissance
mission, approximately twenty three miles southwest of Dong Hoi,
North Vietnam. He was classified as MIA until 1978, when he
classified as KIA. After 43 years, his remains have been found,
positively identified and will be returning to his home town of
Phillipsburg, where services are planned to honor his life and his
service to his community and his country.
Born
January 12, 1943 in Easton, he was a son of the late Robert E. and
Edna Geisner Lawrence.
Bruce was
baptized and confirmed by The Rev. Warren Harding of the Grace
Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg.
He
graduated Phillipsburg High School in 1960, where he served as a
class officer for three years and participated in basketball,
baseball and was an outstanding linebacker and offensive halfback on
the varsity football team.
A member
of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Lawrence received a bachelor of
science degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. He was
an outstanding offensive guard on their football team and had been
elected co-captain of the team in 1965 and was awarded two varsity
letters in football.
He
enlisted in the Air Force on October 10, 1965, and graduated Officer
Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He was
commissioned a second lieutenant and took pilot training at Craig
Air Force base in Alabama.
Following
his death in 1968, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of
Major, and was awarded the Purple Heart; Distinguished Flying Cross;
Air Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars; Air Force Outstanding
Unit Aware with Valor and One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; National
Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze
Service Starts, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and
the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Survivors
include a sister, Barbara Weidner and her husband, Kenneth, of
Raubsville, Pa; A brother, Richard Lawrence and his wife Karen, of
Little Egg Harbor, NJ, three nieces; Karen Weidner-Crosson, Kimberly
Lawrence-Miller, Pamela Lawrence-Mason, four nephews: Bruce, Robert,
Kevin and Brian Weidner and Todd Lawrence; seven cousins: Norman
Allen, Brenda Billger, Mark Heater, Sandra Hughes, Dennis Lanning,
Mary Lou Schwarz and Carol Stahley.
Remains
escorted home
Major
Lawrence’s remains will arrive Thursday at Philadelphia
International Airport. An Air Force Honor Detail will transfer his
casket from the plane to a hearse, that will then be escorted to
Phillipsburg, traveling from the Northeast Extension of the
Pennsylvania Turnpike onto Route 22 East, then travel Route 22 East,
arriving into Phillipsburg approximately 2:30 p.m. The public is
invited to stand along South Main Street, from Union Square to the
Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, at 289 S. Main Street, to honor Major
Lawrence’s remains as he returns to Phillipsburg.
Visitations
The family
will welcome visitors from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday. As a
convenience to the public, the funeral home will be open from 9:00
a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Friday for those wishing to pay their respects
and sign a guest book.
Memorial Service
Major
Lawrence’s casket will travel from the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home to
Walters Park, Phillipsburg on horse drawn caisson for a community
memorial service. The procession will begin at 3:15 p.m. at the
funeral home and will travel South Main Street to Center Street. The
community is invited to stand along South Main Street as the caisson
makes its way to the park.
A public
memorial service will begin 4:00 p.m. Friday in the park. All are
welcome to attend.
Interment with Full Military Honors
A funeral
procession will leave Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home for Raubsville
Cemetery, 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The procession will travel South Main
Street, cross the Northampton Street bridge, Larry Holmes Drive,
South Third Street and Route 611 south to Raubsville Road in
Raubsville. Please note that traffic and parking will be directed by
the Williams Township Fire Company in and around the area of the
cemetery.
Services
at the cemetery will begin with an Air Force fly-over, promptly at
11:00 a.m.
Memorial Donations
Those
planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations
to the Bruce E. Lawrence Scholarship Fund, in care of, 7 Somerset
Lane, Easton, PA 18045, or to the Grace Lutheran Church, 300
Roseberry Street, Phillipsburg, NJ, 08865.
Bruce Edward Lawrence was born
on January 12, 1943, the son of Edna Geisner and Robert E. Lawrence.
His home of record is Phillipsburg, NJ. He had a sister, Barbara and
a brother, Richard. He attended Phillipsburg High School and
graduated in 1960. He served as class officer for three years and
participated in varsity football, basketball and baseball. Upon
graduation, he enrolled at Rutgers University and graduated in 1965.
While at Rutgers, he was awarded two varsity letters in football and
became a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
He entered the US Air Force from Phillipsburg, NJ, and attained the
rank of Major (MAJ). He was with the 557 Tactical Fighter Sq. Cam
Ranh Bay AB VS unit.
On July 5, 1968, Lawrence’s plane was hit and crashed to the ground.
Since no remains were recovered he was considered missing in action.
There is a memorial at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ
dedicated to the graduates who were killed or missing in action from
the Vietnam War. Lawrence’s name is listed among those missing in
action.
Synopsis (from the POW Network) as to the circumstances behind being
listed as MIA:
On July 5, 1968, Major Lawrence was the co-pilot of an F-4C aircraft
that was on an armed reconnaissance mission in North Vietnam when
his plane was hit by hostile anti-aircraft fire. Their wingman
observed their aircraft turn into a large fireball with streaks of
fire trailing out of the bottom, followed by a second smaller
explosion. There were no parachutes observed and no beepers heard.
Intense hostile fire prevented a daylight search of the area. Both
airmen were declared missing in action.
Sources: Richard Lawrence (brother), POW Network and NJVVMF.
www.powmiaawareness.org
POW MIA
Awareness Committee of NJ
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Nam Knights of America Delaware
Valley Chapter brothers rally at Phila. Airport to escort remains of
Vietnam MIA Bruce Lawrence to his final resting place after remains
are returned after 43 years.
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PHOTOS FROM ESCORT
OF VIETNAM BRUCE LAWRENCE REMAINS....
(click on photos to
enlarge)
ESCORT OF REMAINS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd.
If interested in
attending services, refer to Death Notice listed on the left.
INFORMATION FROM WARRIORS WATCH WEBSITE;
This is a ROLLING THUNDER Support Mission
They are Rallying OFF AIRPORT Property and expecting a Big turn out
...
WWR & friends will Rally at FB 69 (Normal Spot) and Pull into the
Parking Lot of the Rolling Thunder Final Rally Location AS ONE
GROUP.
AIRPORT POLICE will be Escorting the group from That Rally Location
to Meet up with the Hearse once they get Rolling.
Rally Location: Fire Base 69
Rally Time: 1100
KSU: 1120 (Depart for Rolling Thunder Rally Location 3 miles away)
Once we are at the Rolling Thunder Rally, We are support for their
Mission.
UPDATED by "RedBeard"
*** This Escorts route is Blue Route 476 To Allentown, THEN onto
route 22 EAST Straight into Phillipsburg NJ. ****
At the Funeral Home, WE WILL BE PERFORMING A FLAG LINE for the
Remains Movement into the Funeral Home … BRING YOUR 3X5 FLAGS!!!!!!
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