Speaker's Bell For General R.L. Lawson From Keesler Training Center, March 1979

Description

Speaker's Bell For General R.L. Lawson From Keesler Training Center, March 1979
General Richard L. Lawson, USAF -
Born in Fairfield, Iowa in 1929.  He attended the University of Iowa and graduated from Parsons College in 1951.  While at Parson's College, General Lawson enlisted in the Iowa National Guard and later called to active duty with the 133rd Infantry Regt. as sergeant major at Fort Riley, Kansas.  He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in Nov. of 1951, and was then assigned to the 133rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.
He entered pilot training in 1952 and was assigned to the 69th bombardment Squadron at Loring AFB, Maine as a B-52 co-pilot and aide de camp to brig. General Bertram C. Harrison.  He accompanied general Harrison to the 72nd Bomb. Wing, Ramey, AFB, Puerto Rico in July of 1955.  He served with the Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska in 1961, serving on the Euro Application Force Team and Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff.  In 1968 he served as the deputy commander for operations, 306th Bomb. Wing, later taking command of the 28th Bomb. Wing until 1970.  Lawson was assigned to HQ USAF, Washington, D.C..  In August of 1973 he was appointed as military assistant to the President and served in the White House under President Nixon and Ford; he remained in the position until 1975.
In 1977 he was assigned as commander of the 8th Air Force at Barksdale AFB, LA.  In 1978 he was named director for plans and policy, J-5, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C..  In 1980 Lawson was assigned as the representative to the Military Committee of NATO, Brussels and Belgium.  In 1981 he became the commander of SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) until August of 1983.
During his service, Lawson logged more than 7000 flying hours, 79 combat missions during the Vietnam War and was promoted to the rank of 4 star general in July of 1980.  He retired in December of 1986.
The Speaker's Bell with engraved stand was "Presented to Lieutenant General Richard L. Lawson, Junior Officer Dining-out Speaker, Keesler Technical Training Center, 16 March 1979".
The bell has light wear, scuffing, and blemishes and the ringing hammer has light verdigris on it. The wood has moderate scuffing, scratches, nicks, and blemishes. The screws holding the bell to stand are nice and tight. The engraved presentation tag has lost its adhesiveness and comes off (as shown in photo).
Item measures approx. 8" x 7" x 10" tall
This item was part of a larger collection recently belonging to General Lawson. V
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