John David Lawson
First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps

John David Lawson was born on 19 April 1944.

The Lawson family moved to Topsfield, MA, from Pennsylvania when Jack was in the eighth grade. He graduated from Masconomet Regional High School in 1962, where he played basketball and football.

After high school, Jack went to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania for a year before transferring to Boston University, but after finding that college wasn't the right fit for him, he dropped out and joined the Marines.

It was here that he excelled. He was in the top of his class at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA, and his good grades enabled him to pursue fighter pilot training at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, TX. After completing the 18-month program, he was stationed in California for a year before leaving for Vietnam on 16 October 1969.

On 1 September 1970, First Lieutenant John David Lawson was serving with VMA-311, MAG-11, 1st Marine Air Wing, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, 1stLt Lawson was flying a ground troops support mission when his plane exploded in midair. His remains were found and identified on 13 September 1970.

Badge and Medals

Naval Aviator Badge
Purple Heart
Air Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honors

The name John D Lawson is located on Panel W7 Line 31 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.