Who was William C. Lawe?

            I had a great time running this information down. I was requested by a former crewmember to provide it, if possible. It took a while - and a bit of luck - but I was finally able to track it down on the internet. A great deal of this information was obtained from http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/escorts/de373.htm .I hope it provides interesting reading for all hands.

            William Clare Lawe (1910-1942) enlisted in the Navy on 27 April 1928, and attained the rate of aviation metalsmith third class (AM3c). He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron (VT) 8, which had received the new Grumman TBF-1(Avenger) torpedo plane.

            His plane was shot down on 4 June 1942 by Japanese 'Zero' fighters while defending Midway atoll.

            For his part in this brave action, AM3c Lawe received a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross.

            The Gearing-class destroyer, DD-763, was sponsored by his widow, Mrs. Nancy Lee Lawe (1911-2000).

            They are both interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary, Point Loma, San Diego County, California; Plot: CBE 4 67.

            If I should ever visit the San Diego area, I will probably visit the site.