News-Info-Alerts

Re: POW Medal Comes 45 Years Oater

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: November 15, 2002

"'Old Charlie' grateful to get medal, even 45 years late

By Mike Bockoven
mbockoven@theindependent.com

After being captured by German soldiers and held for three days during World War II, Staff Sgt. Charles A. Lawson of G Company, 315th Infantry Regiment, found himself in a precarious situation.

The soldier was losing blood after being shot while escaping his captors and had to convince American artillery men to stop firing and take him to a hospital. Unfortunately, they didn't believe him right away.

"If you plan on shooting me, you better make it good because, when I get up on that line, I am going to kick your ass until you cannot move," Lawson reportedly said. The profanity proved his point, Lawson's son, Robert Gordon, wrote, and the next thing Lawson remembers was being in the hospital.

On Monday at the United Veterans Club in Grand Island, Lawson, affectionately referred to as "Old Charlie," was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal for his escape. Gordon, who is also retired from the armed forces, worked through U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel's office to procure the medal for his father, who now lives in Cairo.

Lawson was held by German forces in November 1944 after being grabbed while stepping away from his unit to relieve himself. He escaped while being transferred to a German prison camp after American forces bombed the area. He was shot while escaping, but he ran, walked and eventually crawled for miles before his confrontation with American soldiers.

Hagel was on hand Monday to say a few words and give the medal to Lawson. Hagel said he cherished the opportunity, especially being a veteran himself.

"Charlie Lawson was an American veteran who came back and never asked for anything other than to go back and live his life," Hagel said. "That's all he wanted. Charlie always tried to make the world better in everything he did, and he's still doing that today."

The ceremony on Monday was filled with family and friends, a few of whom participated in the service. Tonya Lawson, Charles' granddaughter, recited the Pledge of Allegiance while Bob Lowry, a friend of Lawson's, introduced Hagel.

Lowry said a lot happened to Lawson during World War II, and if anyone deserves a medal for his valor, it's Lawson.

"He's been a resident of Cairo for a long time, and he's got a strange story to tell," Lowry said. "He was captured and uncaptured and shot at and shot up and chewed up. He deserves this honor."

For his part, Lawson was humble during and after the ceremony. He said he hoped the medal would make it easier for other soldiers whose recognition had "fallen through the cracks" to get the recognition they deserve, as well.

But the honor also made Lawson thankful first for his family, who helped make the day possible, and second for all those who went overseas and never came back.

"It kind of makes me feel small," Lawson said, tearing up slightly. "I'm no hero. I'm just an old soldier. I'm glad I got it. I had kind of given up on it, but my son jumped in. I really appreciate it."

Gordon said the process of getting a medal that had been neglected for more than 40 years is not an easy one, especially because it's not a pressing priority for various offices. In order to get results, Gordon asked Hagel to help.

"What I had to do was go through the process, but we could see after a while that nothing was happening," Gordon said. "What I did was asked what senator he wanted to go through. Six months after that, we got the news."

While Lawson may not have talked about it a lot, Gordon said the lack of recognition for his prisoner of war adventure bothered his father. That made Monday's ceremony all the more sweet.

"He always talked about not getting it, but I don't think it was anything he would have ever pursued," Gordon said. "It's a marvelous thing. It's closure."

With a salute, Hagel said that, especially in times of armed conflict such as the United States is experiencing now, heroes such as Lawson need to be remembered, sought out and emulated.

"He has inspired many people," Hagel said. "His story will continue to inspire people, and that's his legacy. We salute Staff Sgt. Lawson. Thank you."

© 2002 The Grand Island Independent"