[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 53 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING RON LAWSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH.  Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ron 
Lawson upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the 
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. Lawson was honored on 
Saturday, January 31, 2009.
  Mr. Lawson was born in Los Angeles and attended high school in Bell, 
California. At seventeen he enlisted in the United States Army. He 
completed basic training at Fort Ord, California and was on his way to 
Korea. Once in Korea, he joined the First Cavalry for thirteen months, 
serving with a heavy weapons infantry unit with duties along the 
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He was then transferred to Germany where he 
served for five years with the First ARB 46th Infantry and with the 
24th Infantry Division. He had duty in Berlin along the wall at 
Checkpoint Charlie. Upon his return to the U.S. he was assigned as a 
weapons instructor at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
  He was at Fort Polk for a short amount of time before returning to 
Korea for a second tour. He served in the 7th Cavalry with the 2nd 
Infantry Division. When he returned to the U.S., he was selected as an 
instructor at the Drill Sergeant Academy at Fort Leonard Wood, 
Missouri. After completion of the academy, he served as a drill 
sergeant for new recruits, readying them for advanced training and 
deployment to Vietnam. In 1970, Mr. Lawson was deployed to Southeast 
Asia and joined the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. He was 
assigned to Team 25 and Mobile Advisory Team 97; Team 25 worked with 
South Vietnamese Regional Forces in the Central Highlands of II Corps. 
He provided expert advice to the regional soldiers in tactics while 
accompanying them on operations against Viet Cong and NVA forces in 
heavy jungle canopy and rugged mountain terrain. His units also worked 
with and fought alongside native Montagnard tribesmen. Mr. Lawson was 
awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions while serving with Team 
25 and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry for action with Mobile Team 97.
  After completing twelve months in Vietnam, Mr. Lawson returned to 
Fort Ord and reassumed duties as a drill sergeant. He was reassigned to 
Germany and joined the 1st Armored Division as Operations Sergeant. He 
returned to Fort Ord to serve as a first sergeant for the 7th Light 
Infantry Division until he retired.
  During Mr. Lawson's time in the Army he completed many training 
courses including German Language School, the 24th division NCO 
Academy, Instructor Preparation Course, Pre-commissioning Course at 
Fort Benning, Officer Leadership at Fort Ord, Infantry Armor NCO 
Advanced Course at Fort Benning, the NCO Republic of Vietnam 
Orientation Course and Drill Sergeant Academy. For his service he was 
awarded the Bronze Star, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, four Army 
Commendation Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with a Gold Star, 
Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Army 
Occupation award, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Berlin and 
Korea), Korean Defense Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the 
Combat Infantry Badge. Mr. Lawson received six letters of commendation 
and was honored as Fort Ord Drill Sergeant of the Year.
  After Mr. Lawson retired he and his family moved to Chowchilla, 
California and he was employed as a maintenance supervisor. He is a 
member of the Young Men's Institute, Saint Columba Church and has 
served as a member of the City of Chowchilla Planning Commission for 
twenty-one years. He is a life member of the Chowchilla Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, Post 9896 and member of the American Legion Post 148. He 
is also the Past Commander of Post 9896 and has held the position of 
Post Quartermaster for several years. Mr. Lawson currently resides in 
Chowchilla with his wife Mathilda, they have two children and two 
grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ron Lawson 
upon being named as a ``Distinguished Life Member'' by the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, Post 9896. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing 
Mr. Lawson many years of continued success.

                          ____________________