Bruce Edward Lawrence

UPDATE: Links to photos and videos from Maj. Lawrence's services are being added below.

United States Air Force First Lieutenant, Bruce Edward Lawrence, a native of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, was 25 years of age when he died, in the early hours of July 5, 1968, after his F-4C Phantom II aircraft was shot down by enemy ground fire during an armed reconnaissance mission, approximately twenty three miles southwest of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. He was classified as MIA until 1978, when he classified as KIA. After 43 years, his remains have been found, positively identified and will be returning to his home town of Phillipsburg, where services are planned to honor his life and his service to his community and his country.

Born January 12, 1943 in Easton, he was a son of the late Robert E. and Edna Geisner Lawrence.

Bruce was baptized and confirmed by The Rev. Warren Harding of the Grace Lutheran Church, Phillipsburg.

He graduated Phillipsburg High School in 1960, where he served as a class officer for three years and participated in basketball, baseball and was an outstanding linebacker and offensive halfback on the varsity football team.

A member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Lawrence received a bachelor of science degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.  He was an outstanding offensive guard on their football team and had been elected co-captain of the team in 1965 and was awarded two varsity letters in football.

He enlisted in the Air Force on October 10, 1965, and graduated Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and took pilot training at Craig Air Force base in Alabama.

Following his death in 1968, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major, and was awarded the Purple Heart; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars; Air Force Outstanding Unit Aware with Valor and One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Starts, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Survivors include a sister, Barbara Weidner and her husband, Kenneth, of Raubsville, Pa; A brother, Richard Lawrence and his wife Karen, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, three nieces; Karen Weidner-Crosson, Kimberly Lawrence-Miller, Pamela Lawrence-Mason, four nephews: Bruce, Robert, Kevin and Brian Weidner and Todd Lawrence; seven cousins: Norman Allen, Brenda Billger, Mark Heater, Sandra Hughes, Dennis Lanning, Mary Lou Schwarz and Carol Stahley.

Remains escorted home
Major Lawrence’s remains will arrive Thursday at Philadelphia International Airport. An Air Force Honor Detail will transfer his casket from the plane to a hearse, that will then be escorted to Phillipsburg, traveling from the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike onto Route 22 East, then travel Route 22 East, arriving into Phillipsburg approximately 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to stand along South Main Street, from Union Square to the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, at 289 S. Main Street, to honor Major Lawrence’s remains as he returns to Phillipsburg.

Visitations
The family will welcome visitors from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday. As a convenience to the public, the funeral home will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Friday for those wishing to pay their respects and sign a guest book.

Memorial Service
Major Lawrence’s casket will travel from the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home to Walters Park, Phillipsburg on horse drawn caisson for a community memorial service. The procession will begin at 3:15 p.m. at the funeral home and will travel South Main Street to Center Street. The community is invited to stand along South Main Street as the caisson makes its way to the park.

A public memorial service will begin 4:00 p.m. Friday in the park. All are welcome to attend.

Interment with Full Military Honors
A funeral procession will leave Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home for Raubsville Cemetery, 10:00 a.m. Saturday. The procession will travel South Main Street, cross the Northampton Street bridge, Larry Holmes Drive, South Third Street and Route 611 south to Raubsville Road in Raubsville. Please note that traffic and parking will be directed by the Williams Township Fire Company in and around the area of the cemetery.

Services at the cemetery will begin with an Air Force fly-over, promptly at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial Donations
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the Bruce E. Lawrence Scholarship Fund, in care of, 7 Somerset Lane, Easton, PA 18045, or to the Grace Lutheran Church, 300 Roseberry Street, Phillipsburg, NJ, 08865.

Please visit www.noto-wynkoop.com to offer online condolences to the family, view a photo gallery and obtain directions to the funeral home.

Related links:

Express-Times: Bruce Lawrence to Return Home

Express-Times: Bruce Lawrence's Remains Found

Express-Times: Lawrence's Legacy Remains Strong

Express-Times: Welcome Tribute

Express-Times: An American hero, finally coming home

Express-Times: Ken Turp - Remembers Bruce Lawrence

Ron Titus: Bruce E. Lawrence Memorial Page 

Express-Times - Video: Memorial Procession.

Express-Times: Maj. Lawrence burial

Express-Times - Photo Gallery: Memorial Service

NBC News - Philadelphia: Welcome Home

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