(The 475th was one of the most famous and highly decorated
fighter groups in the Pacific, including Florida's Medal of Honor
winner, Thomas McGuire. The group earned two Distinguished Unit
Citations in 1943. During the late summer and fall of 1944, the
Group, flying P-38 fighter-bomber aircraft, operated out of Biak
Island against Japanese targets in the western New Guinea,
Celebes, Borneo and the Southern Philippines. On the 19th of
September 1944, the group attacked and destroyed Japanese fuel
tanks and defensive positions in the Amoerang port area of the
Northeast Celebes. Several aircraft were lost to heavy Japanese
anti-aircraft fire).




LAWHORN, Cecil Boyd


COMPANY A, 124TH INFANTRY
(Dade County)

Born: 17 February 1920 Lakeland, Florida.

Lawhorn had completed one year of high school, lived in Miami and
worked as a mechanic earning $15 per week when he enlisted in
Company A, 124th Infantry Regiment 25 September 1939. He was
inducted into federal service 25 November 1940 as a Private.
Later he was assigned to the 502ND PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT,
101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION. He was a Private 1st Class at the time
of his death.

KILLED IN ACTION, 19 September 1944, Best, Holland.

502nd Parachute Infantry 101st Airborne Division


(The 101st was part of the Allied airborne invasion of Holland,
Operation Market-Garden in September 1944. The division was
dropped near Eindhoven to secure river crossings for advancing
Allied land forces and to defend the corridor against German
counter-attacks. It was during the especially heavy German
attacks from the east that Lawhorn was killed).





LENNON, Rufus Henry


COMPANY L, 124TH INFANTRY
(Manatee County)*

Born: 7 April 1921 Plant City, Florida.