Copyright 1995/P.O.W. Network//Registered to John Ott
Name: Bruce E. Lawrence
Rank/Branch: USAF 03
Unit: 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Date of Birth: 12 January 43
Home City of Record: Phillipsburg, NJ
Date of Loss: 05 July 68
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 171300N 1062800E
status [in 1973]: Missing in Action
category: 2
Aircraft / Vehicle / Ground: F4C
Other Personnel In Incident: Edward D. Silver
Source: Compiled by the P.O.W. NETWORK 02 February 93 from the following published sources-POW/MIA's--Report of the Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs United States Senate--January 13, 1993. "The senate Select Committee staff has prepared case summaries for the priority cases that the Administration is now investigating. These provide the facts about each case, describe the circumstances under which the individual was lost, and detail the information learned since the date of loss. Information in the case summaries is limited to information from casualty files. This does not include
any judgements by Committee staff, and attempts to relate essential facts. The committee acknowledges that POW/MIAs' primary next-of-kin know their family members' cases in more comprehensive detail than summarized here and recognizes the limitations that the report format imposes on these summaries."
ON July 5, 1968, Major Silver and Major Lawrence were the crew of an F-4C on a night armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. Their aircraft 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. During Operation Homecoming, a returning POW reported seeing a propaganda film which included the showing of a body in a flight suit. The returnee was "almost positive" the name strip on the suit was "Silver."
No returning U.S. POW was able to report either of the missing crewmen in captivity. Both were later declared killed in action, body not recovered, based on a presumptive finding of death.
PANEL=53W LINE=021 - Vietnam War Memorial, Washington D.C.
SILVER, EDWARD DEAN
Bio Info
Name: Edward R. Silver
Rank/Branch: USAF, O4
Unit:
Date of Birth: 02 February 34
Home City of Record: Junction City, OR
Date of Loss: 05 July 68
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 171300N 1062800E
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: F4C
Maj. Bruce Edward Lawrence
United States Air Force
557th Tactical Fighter Squadron
12th Tactical Fighter Wing
Bruce served as a - Major - Grade 04 - Air Force - Commissioned Officer
He was 25 years old at the time of his death
Bruce was born on January 12, 1943 in Phillipsburg, NJ.
Bruce served with the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron, of the
12th Tactical Fighter Wing
Bruce died on July 5, 1968 with Major Edward Dean Silver when their F - 4C Fighter aircraft was hit by Hostile ground anti-aircraft fire
His body was not recovered. Coordinares - 171300N - 1062800E - North Vietnam
"Please see incident report below"
Bruce's religion was Lutheran Missouri Synod
Bruce's memoral was placed at the Raubsville Cemetery, Raubsville, PA.
Bruce was a 1960 Graduate of Phillipsburg High School
Bruce's name is listed on Panel 53W - Line 21
of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C.
"Rest In Peace Bruce You Are Missed By All Who Knew You"
Prisoner of War
Missing in Action
You Are Not Forgotten
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Bruce Lawrence's Officer training class Nov. 1965... "Click on photo to enlarge"
Bruce Lawrence.... Graduation from Rutgers University 1965
Bruce Lawrence....... during flight training at Craig AFB, Selma, Al. 1966. Shown here with his T-37B Trainer
Bruce with his niece Kim..... his brother Richard's daughter in Jan. 1967, home on leave
Honors
Bruce Edward Lawrence wanted to fly airplanes from the day he first could dream. His Senior High School photo stated, "Bruce will one day fly jet airplanes." Bruce indeed did that. Bruce wanted someday, to fly for a commerical airline. He knew to do that he had to accumulate flying time hours. Bruce got his flying hours serving his Flag and Country. Bruce served with Distinction and Valor. For his service to his Flag and Country, Bruce earned the following awards:
The Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart - for wounds received in action
The Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defence Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Ribbon
Good Conduct Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Military Merit Medal
The Republic of Vietnam, Gallentry Cross with Palm
This photo is of a permanent Memorial dedicated to The 12th. Fighter Wing Men who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. It is located at The War Memorial Park on Fremont County Airport, in Canon City, Colorado. The center point is a F - 4 Phantom Fighter like the one Bruce flew.
Bruce Edward Lawrence& Edward D. Silver are listed on this Memorial.
The 12th Fighter Wing HQ. Vietnam in 1969
"Photo from John Kopsick's collection"
Flight line of the 557th TFS Vietnam in Feb. 1968
"Photo from Ed Fenner's collection"
Personal Quarters for the 557th TFS Vietnam in 1968
"Photo from Ed Fenner's collection"
Lt.Col. Edward Dean Silver died that day with Bruce. Please see report below. Ed seen here receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal from his commanding officer
