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2nd Lt. John D. Lawson
723rd Squadron
I was amazed to see my father listed on this site in the POW Section!
Unfortunately he passed away Sunday May 11, 2008 at 10:00 pm. He was 84 years old.
I'm so glad to see sights like these on the web. The sacrifices these brave men gave for our freedom is what I would consider unconditional love for their families, friends and country.
The truest of patriotism.
Dad was a navigator on the "Little Lady Joyce 2" B-24. His last mission was under the command of Col. Red Duke. I remember him telling me that he knew he wasn't going to return home from that mission (his 17th) because Col. Duke had a reputation for leaving the formation.
Sure enough, he broke off from the formation leaving his B-24 vulnerable to dog fighter attacks from the Germans when the heat turned on.
The nose gunner had to leave his post to attend to the rear gunners position which left Dad at the nose gun. He told me he could remember the flak bursts going off in front of him getting closer and closer each time.
He just knew the next one was coming up his backside when the guns overheated on the ground. The dogfighters however didn't give up, and they managed to damage the plane beyond the point of return.
The nose hatch was unable to open by this time, they were nose down, by the time the Colonel signaled "Abandon Ship!" Dad rushed as quick as he could to the Bomb bay doors only to find one of his ship mates frozen in place, and scared to death to jump.
Dad kicked him out and followed behind. Later on after he had landed he saw a man running towards him. He signaled the man and told him to hurry up before they were caught.
The man then drew a pistol and told my dad in German, "The war is over for you." This was a mission flown over Austria. I don't remember the mission name.
He spent 341 days in POW camp after that. The man he had kicked out of the plane thanked him for kicking him out of the plane. They were the only two that were caught behind German lines on that mission from what I understand.
Ya know, even after all the hard time's my father gave me, (which I'm sure I earned) I just can't find the words to explain how proud I am of him.
The men of WWII were undoubtedly the smartest most dedicated this country has ever had the honor of having.
To all of them I say, "THANK YOU"!
Sincerely,
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Information courtesy of James Lawson, son of John D. Lawson
Link To Crew Information
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