Colonel Curtis G. Lawson

Curtis G. Lawson Colonel, USMC (Ret) 1931-2015 Curtis G. Lawson, Colonel, USMC (Ret) died suddenly on Monday, May 18, 2015. He was born in Warren PA on May 16, 1931 to his late parents, Charles and Lilly Lawson. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marvelene, 2 daughters, Sharon Perley of Birmingham AL and Janet Lawson of Virginia Beach VA, and 2 grandchildren, Matthew and Michelle Perley of Birmingham. He is also survived by 3 brothers and 1 sister - Charles (Chuck) Lawson (Doris) of Foley AL, Keith Lawson (Joyce) of Wheeling WV, Boyd Lawson (Nancy) of Jamestown NY, and Nancy Wingard of Hermitage PA. He has many nieces and nephews who will also miss him. Curt enlisted in the Navy in 1949 after high school, received his degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy NY, and then became a Marine Corps Officer. He served 35 years of active duty as a decorated Naval Aviator and Weapons Systems Designer . He flew numerous attack aircraft, including F-9’s, A-1s, A-4’s and A-6’s. His combat experience in the Vietnam War included nearly nightly A-6 Intruder mission flights over North Vietnam. He was shot down in North Vietnam in July of 1968 and directed supporting air strikes, which enabled his extraction from his 21 hour hideout in a river by the Air Force Helicopter Rescue Team, the Jolly Green Giants. Returning stateside, he was appointed Executive Officer, then Commanding Officer of an A-6 training squadron, VMAT (AW) 202, in Cherry Point NC. In 1975 and 1976 he returned again to Southeast Asia to help plan and execute the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Saigon. The final years of his military service were at: Quantico VA (focused on research and development), the Pentagon (for the Secretary of the Navy where he was instrumental in acquiring the Harrier Aircraft for the Marine Corps), and Headquarters Marine Corps in DC. His military awards include the Silver Star, 2 Distinguished Service Crosses, a Distinguished Flying Cross, 2 Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and many Air Medals. After his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1984, his second career was a systems planning and engineer for GTE in Massachusetts for 15 years. He retired again and moved to South Alabama with Marvelene where the winters are warm. For the past 12 years he has volunteered as manager of the Research Library at the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, cataloging every available book, article, photograph, and document related to Naval Aviation and its history. He and Marvelene have traveled extensively throughout the world, always returning to their peaceful sanctuary on Wolfe Creek. Curt was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, patriot, Marine, and friend. We will miss him so very much. Rest in peace until we meet again. Visitation will be held at Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel, NAS Pensacola, Florida, Friday, May 22, 2015 beginging at 8:30 a.m. with the memorial service at 9:00 a.m. with Chaplain Mike Mashburn officiating. Marine Corp Honors will be rendered at Barrancas National Cemetery following the service. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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Colonel Curtis G. Lawson

May 16, 1931 - May 18, 2015