Lawson H. M. Sanderson
Lawson Harry McPhearson Sanderson | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Sandy" |
Born | Shelton, Washington, US | July 22, 1895
Died | June 11, 1973 San Diego, California, US | (aged 77)
Place of Burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1917–1951 |
Rank | Major general |
Service number | 0-860 |
Commands held | Marine Air, West Coast 4th Marine Aircraft Wing 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Aircraft Group 11 Marine Aircraft Group 42 |
Battles/wars | World War I Banana Wars |
Awards | Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross |
Lawson Harry McPhearson Sanderson (July 22, 1895 – June 11, 1973) was an aviation pioneer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. He is most noted for his effort in development of the dive bombing technique.[1] As commanding officer of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Sanderson accepted the Japanese surrender of Wake Island at the end of World War II.
Early career
He was born on July 22, 1895, in
Sanderson was transferred to the
Dive bombing
When the situation on Haiti escalated, Sanderson was transferred to the Squadron "E" attached to the 1st Provisional Brigade of Marines and sailed for Haiti aboard the troopship USS Kittery on March 15, 1919. He arrived at Port-au-Prince at the end of March.
During one of the skirmishes with "Cacos" bandits, Sanderson flying the
Further interwar service
Sanderson returned to the United States in March 1920 and was assigned for instruction at Officers Training School within Quantico Base, Virginia. He graduated one year later and was subsequently selected for special flight with De Havilland 4A plane from Washington, D.C. to Santo Domingo. Sandy set a new record in then-longest round-trip flight over water and land and received Distinguished Flying Cross for this feat.[2][3] He was also commissioned second lieutenant in the regular Marine Corps on May 2, 1921.
Young Sandy was assigned back to 1st Brigade of Marines and sailed again for Haiti in April 1922. After a one-year tour of duty at Haiti, he was ordered to Navy Department in Washington, D.C., where he was assigned to the Bureau of Aeronautics. In October 1923, he attended the Company Officers Course at Marine Corps Schools at Quantico, Virginia.
World War II
With the outbreak of
Sanderson was appointed commanding officer of the
Sanderson assumed command of Marine Fleet Air, West Coast in September 1944 and continued in his previous training duties. Nevertheless, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in January 1945 and remained in command of Marine Fleet Air, West Coast until May 1945, when he was transferred back to Pacific. Sanderson relieved Brigadier General Louis E. Woods in command of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and subsequently participated in air support operations over Gilbert and Marshall Islands. He also accepted surrender of Wake Island from Japanese admiral Shigematsu Sakaibara on September 4, 1945, who was later sentenced to death by a military tribunal for war crimes in connection with execution of 98 civilian workers in October 1943 and hanged on June 18, 1947.
Postwar service
Sanderson was attached to the staff of Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in March 1946, and served under Major General William J. Wallace. He remained there until the end of June and subsequently was appointed commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing based in Tientsin, China. The 1st MAW remained in China until October 1947, when it was ordered back to the United States. Upon his return, Sanderson was appointed deputy commander of the 1st MAW again under the command of Major General Woods and served in this capacity until July 1949.
Sanderson was subsequently appointed deputy commander of General William J. Wallace within Aircraft,
Sanderson died on June 11, 1973, in San Diego, California, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, together with his wife Louise N. Sanderson.[4] They had together a son, Lawson E. and a daughter Doris N. In August 1966, Sanderson Field was named in his honor.
Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Lawson H. M. Sanderson:
Naval Aviator Badge | |||||||||||||
1st Row | Legion of Merit[2] | Distinguished Flying Cross[2] | |||||||||||
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2nd Row | Navy Presidential Unit Citation with one star | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with two stars | World War I Victory Medal with clasp | Haitian Campaign Medal | |||||||||
3rd Row | Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal | American Defense Service Medal with clasp | American Campaign Medal | service stars
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4th Row | World War II Victory Medal
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China Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal | Nicaraguan Presidential Order of Merit with Gold star |
Legion of Merit citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Lawson H. M. Sanderson (MCSN: 0-860), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. From 17 October 1942 to 31 December 1942, Colonel Sanderson served as operations officer of the FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing at Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands. In this capacity he was charged with the coordination, supervision and tactical employment of all army, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft based at Guadalcanal. He repeatedly exposed himself to enemy bombing, shelling by ground artillery and naval guns, and on some occasions when shells were bursting within a very short distance, when it was necessary to the task at hand. His efficient conduct of the operations of our aircraft, combined with his coolness and devotion to duty under fire have provided an excellent example to all personnel associated with him.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Leatherneck – Magazine of the Marines, November 2014". mca-marines.org. Marine Corps Association & Foundation Websites. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
- ^ Military Times. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ "Historylink – Sanderson, Major General Lawson (1895–1979)". historylink.org. Historylink Websites. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ HistoryLink