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Marine BGen James Lawrence Jr..
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Contact Info
Last Address Rutledge
Date of Passing Sep 08, 2006
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Brigadier General James F. Lawrence was born March 17, 1918, in Rutledge, Tennessee, and graduated from Sand Hill High School, Candler, North Carolina, in 1936. He was graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1941, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce. In 1953, he received a LLB degree from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
He attended the Platoon Leaders Course during the summers of 1938 and 1940 as a private first class in the Marine Corps Reserve, and was commissioned a Marine Reserve second lieutenant on July 1, 1941. Lieutenant Lawrence completed the Basic School, Marine Barracks, Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in April 1942.
During World War II, he served first as a platoon leader and then as a company executive officer with the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal and New Britain. For his service during this period, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", the Purple Heart, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1942 and to captain in September 1943.
Upon his return to the United States in August 1944, Captain Lawrence was assigned duty as Commanding Officer, Marine Detachment, Marine Barracks, Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, until September 1945. He completed the Japanese Language School, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, in December 1947. He completed the Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in June 1950.
During the Korean conflict, Major Lawrence again served with the 1st Marine Division, this time as S-3 Officer; Battalion Executive Officer; and finally as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 7th Marines. He received the Navy Cross, a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", and Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars for his Korean service.
Upon his return to the United States, Major Lawrence attended Law School at the George Washington University, completing the course in July 1953. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in October 1952.
Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence reported to Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as Assistant Legislative assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1953 until July 1956. He completed the Amphibious Warfare School, Senior Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in June 1957. Colonel Lawrence was Staff Assistant for Doctrines and Development until November 1957, then served as a Member on the Marine Corps Board at Quantico until June 1959.
Assigned to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, he saw duty in the G-1 Section until 1960; following this he served as the Force Legal Officer until July 1962. While serving as Force Legal Officer, he was promoted to colonel in April 1962. Assigned next to the 3d Marine Division on Okinawa, he served as Division Legal Officer until August 1963.
Returning to the United States later that month, he was assigned duty with the Department of Defense, Washington, D.C. For his service as Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower), he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In October 1965, he became Deputy Director, Office of the Legislative Liaison Officer to the Secretary of Defense. After his advancement to the rank of brigadier general, May 1, 1967, he served as Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs), DOD, until his retirement from active duty, Nov 1, 1968, at which time he was recalled to active duty and continued in this position until he finally retired from active duty on March 31, 1972. He recieved the Distinguished Service Medal for his service from October 1965 to August 1970. Upon retirement he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal.
A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with gold star, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze stars, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia clasp, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Korean Service Medal with one silver star in lieu of five bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Other Comments:
NAVY CROSS CITATION
LAWRENCE, JAMES F., JR.
The Navy Cross is presented to James F. Lawrence, Jr. (O-7913), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Operations Officer, and later as Executive Officer, of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 6 and 7 December 1950. With his battalion designated as the division vanguard during the crucial movement from Hagaru-ri to Koto-ri in the face of surrounding numerically superior enemy forces, Major Lawrence unhesitatingly volunteered to lead a small command group directly behind the forward assault platoon to coordinate the advance of the attacking rifle companies and, despite an almost ceaseless hail of hostile mortar and small-arms fire, constantly maintained his hazardous position to direct the supporting arms. Although seriously shaken by the bursts of enemy shells, he bravely continued to direct the supporting aircraft, tanks and mortars, completely neutralizing three hostile roadblocks during the first four miles of the attack. When the battalion commander and the executive officer became casualties, Major Lawrence promptly assumed command of and skillfully directed the battalion in breaking through the last enemy barriers outside the Koto-ri perimeter during the early morning hours of 7 December. Receiving orders to move back toward Hagaru-ri to assist the division column in its attempt to overcome reestablished hostile roadblocks, he fearlessly led his men in a daring blocking maneuver despite near exhaustion from the bitter cold, enabling the remainder of the division to move into friendly lines without further resistance from the enemy. By his outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and valiant devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds, Major Lawrence was directly instrumental in the success achieved by his division and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Battle of the Chosin Reservoir (Battle of Changjin)/Task Force Drysdale
From Month/Year
November / 1950
To Month/Year
November / 1950
Description It was in late November 1950, when the Chinese unleashed their massive and furious assault against the Marine forces at the Chosin Reservoir. From that point southward some ten miles to Koto-ri, the Chinese went on a rampage. The Marines of the 5th and 7th Regiments faced encirclement and annihilation. It was imperative that the road leading north from Koto-ri, be kept open, otherwise they would be cut off and annihilated.
General Smith, commander of the 1st Marine Division requested troops leave Koto-Ri and head to Hagaru to keep the way open. Colonel Chesty Puller, commanding the 1st Marine Battalion had his hands full keeping the enemy out of Koto-Ri. Even so an attempt was made to keep the highway open. The Chinese had filtered to the south of the Reservoir and proved to be too strong for a smaller breakthrough force.
It was on November 28th that the timely arrival of reinforcements, including elements of the 3rd Battalion, 41st British Commandos (Royal Marines), Company G of the 1st Marine Regiment and Company B of the 31st Infantry Battalion made it possible to form a new task force. The entire force would be sent to relieve the beleaguered Marines at Hagaru. It would be under the command of British Lt. Colonel Douglas Drysdale. The Colonel was one of the most "spit and polish" men that the Marines had ever seen. Even so, he was well known for being both a brave and aggressive commander. With the addition of two dozen Patton tanks and numerous other armored vehicles and personnel carriers, a much stronger combat force headed north toward the Reservoir.
At about 1000 hours the next day the task force moved out, under covering fire of mortars and howitzers from Koto-Ri. Almost immediately the Chinese of the 58th Division began to resist the advance. By noon they had moved forward a little over a mile. By four in the afternoon they had gained another three miles. Colonel Drysdale became impatient with the slow movement of his column. He ordered the tanks to the front. With a shout of "Tally-ho" from his jeep, he headed up the road to the Reservoir.
It was getting dark when the British, US Army and Marine contingent reached about halfway to Hagaru. Before them was a long deep valley. To the right the ground rose sharply into steep mountains. On the left was the frozen Changjin River, with a meandering stream crossing the valley floor. After the fight, the surviving troops of this engagement named the area "Hell Fire Valley." As they traversed the lower ground, enemy artillery fire began to hit the column, forcing the troops to dismount and fight.
During the engagement Chinese mortar rounds hit a number of vehicles and effectively blocked the road. The task force had now been split in two. Drysdale had no choice but to proceed northward with all the tanks and the bulk of infantry. They would eventually arrive at Hagaru. In so doing Drysdale was wounded and passed his command to Army Captain Sitter. Most of this force, however, did arrive intact. It is said that when the ever-composed Colonel Drysdale passed into the Hagaru perimeter, he managed to pull off a snappy return salute to Major Ed Simmons, even though badly wounded in the right arm. The addition of tanks and infantry to the Marine complement proved to be a big help as the two Marine regiments began to fight their way back to Koto-ri.
