William P. Lawrence | |
|---|---|
 Lawrence in September 1983 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Bill" |
| Born | January 13, 1930 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | December 2, 2005 (aged 75) Crownsville, Maryland, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1951–1986 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands | United States Pacific Fleet United States Naval Academy United States Third Fleet Chief of Naval Personnel Fighter Squadron 143 |
| Battles / wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (4) Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (2) Air Medal (3) |
| Relations | Captain Wendy B. Lawrence (daughter) |
| Other work | President of the Association of Naval Aviation |
William Porter "Bill" Lawrence (January 13, 1930 – December 2, 2005) was a decorated United States Navy vice admiral and Naval Aviator who served as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1978 to 1981. Lawrence was a noted pilot, the first Naval Aviator to fly twice the speed of sound in a naval aircraft, and one of the final candidates for the Mercury space program.[1] During the Vietnam War, Lawrence was shot down while on a combat mission and spent six years as a prisoner of war, from 1967 to 1973. During this time, he became noted for his resistance to his captors.
- ^ William Bernstein (December 5, 2005). "William P. Lawrence Dies; Navy Admiral".