Corporal Birden Jerome Lawson, 5/30/1948 – 5/18/1969
Stratford Veterans Museum
Corporal Birden Jerome Lawson, a member of D Company, 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, was a 1967 graduate of Stratford High School and drafted by the Army shortly after graduating to go to Viet Nam. After boot camp training, Cpl. Lawson trained to become a Light Weapons Specialist and joined the 101st Airborne, a legendary parachute division. Once in Vietnam he fought in the controversial battle of Hamburger Hill (Hill 937), an ordeal that lasted 10 days, starting on May 10, 1969. That battle was considered a water shed event of negative public opinion toward the Vietnam War. Over 50 Americans were killed, and nearly 400 wounded, in addition to several helicopters shot down. After the 101st Airborne took the hill on May 20th, it was abandoned days later! Army Corporal Lawson experienced a traumatic wound, and died on May 18, 1969.
Records indicate the he died through hostile action, in Dong Ap Bia, Hamburger Hill, South Vietnam, Thua Thein Province. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart. During Birden’s service he received a Combat Infantry Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Parachutist Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Good Conduct Metal
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We are trying to identify the veteran (Floyd) shown in this photo. If you know who this, is please contact the Stratford Veterans Museum at (203) 583-4484.
