[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E625-E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOHN LAWSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate John Lawson upon being awarded with the ``Lifetime 
Achievement Award'' by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9896. Mr. 
Lawson was honored on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chowchilla, 
California.
  Mr. John Lawson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California where 
he graduated from Bell High School. After high school, Mr. Lawson 
enlisted in the United States Army in 1967 and was sent to Fort 
Campbell, Kentucky for basic training. Upon completion of basic 
training, he was assigned a military occupational specialty in the Army 
Signal Corps.
  In November 1967, Mr. Lawson was ordered to Vietnam and was assigned 
to the 459th Signal Battalion; the same unit that served in Europe at 
Normandy, North France and Central Europe. Upon returning from Europe 
after World War II, the battalion was deactivated at Camp Pinedale, 
near Fresno, California. The 459th Signal Battalion was reactivated in 
1962 and made part of the Sixth Army. In 1966, the battalion landed in 
Vietnam as part of the 21st Signal Group, First Signal Brigade.
  While with the 459th Signal Battalion, Mr. Lawson encountered the TET 
Offensive that the North Vietnamese unleashed. During this time, he 
performed duties as a troubleshooter, repairing radio equipment for 
combat and supporting units in various provinces of Vietnam. The North 
Vietnamese successfully attacked U.S. forces and bases throughout South 
Vietnam, disrupting communications. Mr. Lawson

[[Page E626]]

and his fellow soldiers worked tirelessly to keep critical 
communications intact for the front-line combat units. During convoy 
between Nha Trang to Tue Hoa and Da Nag to Tue Hoa, Mr. Lawson found 
himself under mortar attack and rocket fire. For the outstanding 
achievement and performance of the 459th, the Secretary of the Army 
awarded the 459th and its soldiers the Army Meritorious Unit 
Commendation.
  Mr. Lawson completed his combat tour in Vietnam shortly after he was 
promoted to Specialist-4. He returned to the United States and was 
honorably discharged. For his service, he was awarded the National 
Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign 
Medal with device, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Meritorious Unit 
Commendation Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Unit Cross of Gallantry 
with palm and frame.
  During his civilian life, Mr. Lawson worked as a truck driver until 
his retirement. Mr. Lawson is a Life Member of the Chowchilla Veterans 
of Foreign Wars Post 9896. He has two children and two grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate John Lawson 
upon being named 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.

                          ____________________