J. Lawrence King

During the Battle of the Bulge, he was part of a group involved with re-taking the town of Orshulz, within the Siegfried line. Approximately 900 men on the mission were cut off and under heavy German artillery fire. After three days and the failure of expected tank support due to heavy snow and freezing weather, the death toll reached 600 and under hopeless conditions, the 300 survivors in the unit were forced to surrender. Lawrence suffered shrapnel wounds to his arms and hand and was carried to a small German hospital in St. Wendel for surgery. Later, he was interned in Stalag 13-C, Hammelburg, then in Nuremberg, and finally liberated by General Patton's troops on April 29, 1945 at Stalag 7-A, Mooseburg.

Returning home to Clemson, Lawrence resumed college and Graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for the South Carolina Highway Department as District Mechanical Engineer and later was promoted to Assistant Director, Supply & Equipment, retiring after more than 40 years of service.

Lawrence and his wife, the former Jennie Britt, have been married about 43 years and the two became active in AXPOW in 1978. He has served as National Director, SE region for nine years and Jr. Vice Commander for one year. He is also a National Service Officer. He decided not to run for a national office again when his term ended in 2002, because he and Jennie both have health problems and must curtail their activities. He accepted a position on the Foundation Board since his duties here will not be so demanding and will require less travel. Lawrence and Jennie's family includes two daughters; Susan, married to Tim Vinson and daughter Hannah to Brian Majewsky. They also have two grandsons: Andrew and Alex Vinson.