Better Late Than Never

Stephen E. Lawrence received the Distinguished Service Cross Friday in recognition of his heroism during a rescue mission in Vietnam 33 years ago. The military's second highest award for valor was approved 33 years ago, but never awarded.

"This is more than I ever expected," Lawrence, 56, said in accepting the Distinguished Service Cross in a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes according to an AP report. "It may be a little late, but this is fabulous."

Gen. Richard Cody, the vice chief of staff, US Army and a fellow aviator, quoted one of the men whom Lawrence rescued from a downed aircraft on Oct. 5, 1971, while braving enemy fire.

"This is the one experience that I have relived hundreds of times in my dreams," the survivor said. "There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to die that day. I truly believed that anyone attempting to rescue us would also be facing certain death."

Gen. Cody presented the Medal to Mr. Lawrence for displaying extraordinary bravery and heroism as the pilot of a UH-1M "Huey" helicopter gunship when he attempted to rescue a downed crew from another helicopter near Tay Ninh, Republic of Vietnam. It had gone down near the Cambodian Border in a "heavily contested area." While receiving intense enemy fire, Lawrence used his skill to land the aircraft twice near the burning chopper before he and his crew managed to get the others loaded.

He was only 28 days away from finishing his Vietnam tour of Duty, and soon returned home to Fort Lewis, WA. Before Lawrence left, his Commander told him that he was going to nominate him for the Medal of Honor for his actions. He heard nothing else about it, and was discharged from the Army.

Lawrence had heard nothing else about it until last summer, when He had dinner with a fellow Vietnam Veteran. Roger Almquist was surprised when he heard that Lawrence had received the Distinguished Flying Cross two days after the mission, but nothing more. He researched the subject and discovered that the completed paperwork from May 1, 1972 was in Lawrence's files at the National Archives..

Lawrence's crewmates were nominated for and received Silver Stars for their actions in December 1971. For unknown reasons, Lawrence was never notified of his award. He now lives in Clearwater, Fla.

FMI: www.army.mil