James Lawhorn

James Arthur Lawhorn (April 5, 1924 – Sept. 19, 1944) was a soldier from Robbins killed in Belgium during World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born April 5, 1924 in Robbins, James A. Lawhorn was the son of Noah Lawhorn (1897-1980) and Elsie Conner (1891-1954). His siblings included Geneva Smithers (1919-1970), Amner Peddycord (1921-2001) and Charles Henry Lawhorn (1922-1982). Charles also served in World War II, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Prior to the war, James worked for Brimstone Coal Company in New River. He was not married.

World War II

Lt. James Lawhorn enlisted in the U.S. Army and earned the silver wings at advanced pilot school in June 1944. He died near Rethie, Belgium on Sept. 19, 1944, when his aircraft — a C-47A — was on a glider tow mission to Eindhoven, Holland and was shot down. All four men aboard were killed. Lawhorn was serving as co-pilot.

A statement from Lt. John C. Baird: “I was flying No. 3 position in the lead element and at approximately 1550 hours, while in the vicinity of Rethie, Belgium, I saw plane No. 42-100770, which was flying No. 2 position in the same element, hit by enemy flak which burst immediately below the fuselage, parallel to the leading edge of the wing. After a split second, the ship fell away slightly to the left and then nosed into a gradual dive, completing a 180 turn. The last I saw of the ship was when it was still approximately 350 to 400 feet from the ground. At that time it had nosed over into a much steeper angle of dive. Left engine was in flame from the time it was hit by flak until it disappeared from my view.“

Aftermath

Lt. Lawhorn was buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium.

He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.