Medal of Honor - William R. Lawley, JR

LAWLEY, WILLIAM R., JR.
(Air Mission)
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 364th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group. Place and date: Over Europe, 20 February 1944. Entered service at: Birmingham, Ala. Born: 23 August 1920, Leeds, Ala. G.O. No.: 64, 8 August 1944.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty, 20 February 1944, while serving as pilot of a B-17 aircraft on a heavy bombardment mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe. Coming off the target he was attacked by approximately 20 enemy fighters, shot out of formation, and his plane severely crippled. Eight crewmembers were wounded, the copilot was killed by a 20-mm. shell. One engine was on fire, the controls shot away, and 1st Lt. Lawley seriously and painfully wounded about the face. Forcing the copilot's body off the controls, he brought the plane out of a steep dive, flying with his left hand only. Blood covered the instruments and windshield and visibility was impossible. With a full bomb load the plane was difficult to maneuver and bombs could not be released because the racks were frozen. After the order to bail out had been given, 1 of the waist gunners informed the pilot that 2 crewmembers were so severely wounded that it would be impossible for them to bail out. With the fire in the engine spreading, the danger of an explosion was imminent. Because of the helpless condition of his wounded crewmembers 1st Lt. Lawley elected to remain with the ship and bring them to safety if it was humanly possible, giving the other crewmembers the option of bailing out. Enemy fighters again attacked but by using masterful evasive action he managed to lose them. One engine again caught on fire and was extinguished by skillful flying. 1st Lt. Lawley remained at his post, refusing first aid until he collapsed from sheer exhaustion caused by loss of blood, shock, and the energy he had expended in keeping control of his plane. He was revived by the bombardier and again took over the controls. Coming over the English coast one engine ran out of gasoline and had to be feathered. Another engine started to burn and continued to do so until a successful crash landing was made on a small fighter base. Through his heroism and exceptional flying skill, 1st Lt. Lawley rendered outstanding distinguished and valorous service to our Nation.

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  People & Blogs

[christinehoward26]

This is my sister's boyfriend's father.I am honored to be in his adopted family.It made me proud.You can learn something new

that you never even heard of before.What a revelation!Rest in peace up in the skies you loved so well.Maybe George Lucas will make a movie about you! Hello,Jeanine!

Christine Howard in Dallas,Texas

[jlaw017]

this was my dad's first cousin. i am honored and proud to be related to him.

[Hunter Stone]

hell yeah hes my great uncle

[netravler1]

You are fuckin kidding, right ?

This isn't about some fuckin game you shithead moron !

Its about a man who won the highest honor the United States can award ! Whats wrong with you?!!!!!!

You think you wouldn't be speaking Japenese if men like this didn't fight and die for monkey heads like you?....Jesus Christ !...whats happened to youth today?...Think of what this man and others went thru !...FOR YOU !

Awww....Forget it....you'd be too stupid to figure it out anyway.

[hoseaezatofalowe1416]

I just arrived at my third prestige! I adore this video game, it's amazing. Thank  god that i did not have to fork out for it. Me and my mate just down loaded it from codmw2freedlYcom (replace Y with . ), and installed it on our university's pc's. I'm downloading the new map pack now from that webpage, i'll let you know if the new maps are any good.

[panhead55]

yeas, this is a great book. i have a few on the 305th. my next project involves 3 of the earlier b17's of this group.

[tommy4244]

What a great story!

The 305th were based not far from where I live now, and there is an excellent book which details all of their missions called "John Burn One Zero Five"

[couerl]

Great.