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Contact Info
Home Town Fresno, California
Last Address Chico, California
Date of Passing Jan 19, 1992
Location of Interment Chico Cemetery and Mausoleum - Chico, California
He was the pilot in crew #7 on the Doolittle Raid. He was badly injured on crash landing in China and had to have his leg amputated. He served in non-combat assignments until he was medically retired Feb 2, 1945. He wrote the book "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" about his experiences. In 1944 it was made into a movie with actor Van Johnson playing his part.
His DFC citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Ted W. Lawson (ASN: 0-399540), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement as Pilot of a B-25 Bomber of the 1st Special Aviation Project (Doolittle Raider Force), while participating in a highly destructive raid on the Japanese mainland on 18 April 1942. Lieutenant Lawson with 79 other officers and enlisted men volunteered for this mission knowing full well that the chances of survival were extremely remote, and executed his part in it with great skill and daring. This achievement reflects high credit on himself and the military service.
Crew No. 7 (Plane #40-2261, "The Ruptured Duck", target Tokyo) 95th Bomb Sq. L-R: Lt. Charles L. McClure, navigator; Lt. Ted W. Lawson, pilot; Lt. Robert S. Clever, bombardier; Lt. Dean Davenport, copilot; Sgt. David J. Thatcher, flight engineer/gunner. (U.S. Air Force photo)
