Lawrence E. Roberts
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Edward Roberts was a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen
and a colonel
in the United States Air Force
, with 32 years of total military service. He is the father of newscaster Robin René Roberts
.
. He was married to Lucimarian Tolliver for 57 years. They had four children: Dorothy Roberts McEwen, Lawrence E. Roberts II, Sally-Ann Roberts Craft Nabonne, and Robin René Roberts. He taught his children to live their lives without limitations. Roberts was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
, former member and vice moderator of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA), former member and Chairman of Council of the Presbytery of Mississippi, an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church (USA) in East St. Bay, member of the Board of Trustees, Leadership Gulf Coast, former member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Pass Christian School District, former member and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Mississippi School Boards Association, former member and Chairman of the Southern Region of the School Boards Association, and Director of the Genesis Foundation.
Roberts attended Howard University
, received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Morningside College
, and received his master's degree from the Tuskegee Institute
.
as a Pre-Aviation Cadet Private at Keesler Field
in 1943. He was assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen pilot training program in 1944. Roberts flew Piper Cubs, North American B-25 Mitchell bombers, Douglas C-54 Skymaster transports and North American F-86 Sabre fighter jets, and served in numerous flying, technical and command assignments. He performed duties as a jet fighter pilot in the Air Defense Command
, a flight instructor at the fighter school at Williams Air Force Base
, ground electronics officer in Canada, Japan, and Turkey, Chief of Ground Communication-Electronics and Meteorological Maintenance for the Air Division headquarters, Department Chief for Ground Electronics and Officer Training at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Commander of NATO Communications, Organization and Chief Communications-Electronics and Logistics Advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force Headquarters and as Commander of the Maintenance and Supply Group at Keesler Air Force Base. Roberts also served as an instructor in Tuskegee University
's Air Force ROTC program from 1958 to 1960.
He served in the Vietnam War
and was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Air Force
Distinguished Service Order Second Class award. Roberts received 18 service medals and awards: Legion of Merit
with one oak leaf cluster
, Joint Service and AF Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal
, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal
, National Defense Service Medal
with one bronze service star
, Korean Service Medal
with two bronze service stars, Vietnam Service Medal
, Air Force Longevity Service award with one silver oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
, Distinguished Service Order and the Air Service Medal from the Republic of Vietnam.
as his permanent home and for the next 29 years continued his active involvement with Keesler AFB and the surrounding community. His impact was so great that the only Mississippi chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Club was named in his honor. On October 12, 2004, Roberts died at his home in Biloxi, Mississippi
, at the age of 81. He was buried with full military honors. Services were held at the Triangle Chapel at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi and buried at Biloxi National Cemetery
.
Since his passing, Roberts posthumously received awards throughout the country. In 2004, shortly after he passed away, the Mississippi Legislature
drafted a resolution honoring his life and legacy and on March 29, 2007, he posthumously received the highest civilian award bestowed by the federal legislature, the Congressional Gold Medal. US president George W. Bush
honored Roberts and other Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal for their bravery, patriotism and the flying skills that helped persuade President Harry S. Truman
to desegregate the armed forces. In March 2009, a sculpture by Marlin Miller was dedicated in Warr Memorial Park in Pass Christian, Mississippi
. On September 10, 2009, a new consolidated aircraft maintenance facility for the 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB was dedicated and named in Robert's honor.
Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps....
and a colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, with 32 years of total military service. He is the father of newscaster Robin René Roberts
Robin Roberts (newscaster)
Robin René Roberts is an American television broadcaster. Roberts is the co-anchor of ABC's morning show Good Morning America-Early life:...
.
Personal life
Roberts was born on December 9, 1922 in Vauxhall, New JerseyVauxhall, New Jersey
Vauxhall is an unincorporated area within Union Township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. Vauxhall borders Millburn and Maplewood. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP Code 07088....
. He was married to Lucimarian Tolliver for 57 years. They had four children: Dorothy Roberts McEwen, Lawrence E. Roberts II, Sally-Ann Roberts Craft Nabonne, and Robin René Roberts. He taught his children to live their lives without limitations. Roberts was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay Saint Louis is a city located in Hancock County, Mississippi. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,209. It is the county seat of Hancock County...
, former member and vice moderator of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA), former member and Chairman of Council of the Presbytery of Mississippi, an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church (USA) in East St. Bay, member of the Board of Trustees, Leadership Gulf Coast, former member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Pass Christian School District, former member and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Mississippi School Boards Association, former member and Chairman of the Southern Region of the School Boards Association, and Director of the Genesis Foundation.
Roberts attended Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Morningside College
Morningside College
Morningside College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church located in Sioux City, Iowa. Founded in 1894 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Morningside College is a private, four-year, co-educational liberal arts institution. Morningside has 21 buildings on a ...
, and received his master's degree from the Tuskegee Institute
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
.
Military service
Roberts entered the United States Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
as a Pre-Aviation Cadet Private at Keesler Field
Keesler Air Force Base
Keesler Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Biloxi, a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, United States. The base is named in honor of aviator 2d Lt Samuel Reeves Keesler, Jr., a Mississippi native killed in France in First World War.-Units:The base is home of...
in 1943. He was assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen pilot training program in 1944. Roberts flew Piper Cubs, North American B-25 Mitchell bombers, Douglas C-54 Skymaster transports and North American F-86 Sabre fighter jets, and served in numerous flying, technical and command assignments. He performed duties as a jet fighter pilot in the Air Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command
Aerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
, a flight instructor at the fighter school at Williams Air Force Base
Williams Air Force Base
Williams Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base, located in Mesa, and about southeast of Phoenix, Arizona.It was active as a training base for both the United States Army Air Forces, as well as the USAF from 1941 until its closure in 1993...
, ground electronics officer in Canada, Japan, and Turkey, Chief of Ground Communication-Electronics and Meteorological Maintenance for the Air Division headquarters, Department Chief for Ground Electronics and Officer Training at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), Commander of NATO Communications, Organization and Chief Communications-Electronics and Logistics Advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force Headquarters and as Commander of the Maintenance and Supply Group at Keesler Air Force Base. Roberts also served as an instructor in Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
's Air Force ROTC program from 1958 to 1960.
He served in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Air Force
Vietnam Air Force
The Vietnam Air Force began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974...
Distinguished Service Order Second Class award. Roberts received 18 service medals and awards: Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with one oak leaf cluster
Oak leaf cluster
An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration...
, Joint Service and AF Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either Germany or Japan...
, National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with one bronze service star
Service star
A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service...
, Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who...
with two bronze service stars, Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
, Air Force Longevity Service award with one silver oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is...
, Distinguished Service Order and the Air Service Medal from the Republic of Vietnam.
Later life
In 1975, Roberts retired after 32 years of service at the same base he was first assigned to in 1943, Keesler AFB. He chose the Mississippi Gulf CoastMississippi Gulf Coast
The Mississippi Gulf Coast refers to the three Mississippi counties which lie on the Gulf of Mexico: Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties.The region was severely damaged by Hurricane Camille in 1969 and again by Hurricane Katrina in 2005....
as his permanent home and for the next 29 years continued his active involvement with Keesler AFB and the surrounding community. His impact was so great that the only Mississippi chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen Club was named in his honor. On October 12, 2004, Roberts died at his home in Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....
, at the age of 81. He was buried with full military honors. Services were held at the Triangle Chapel at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi and buried at Biloxi National Cemetery
Biloxi National Cemetery
Biloxi National Cemetery is a U.S. National Cemetery that is located in Biloxi, Mississippi on the grounds of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center , near Keesler Air Force Base...
.
Since his passing, Roberts posthumously received awards throughout the country. In 2004, shortly after he passed away, the Mississippi Legislature
Mississippi Legislature
The Mississippi Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The bicameral Legislature is composed of the lower Mississippi House of Representatives, with 122 members, and the upper Mississippi Senate, with 52 members. Both Representatives and Senators serve four-year...
drafted a resolution honoring his life and legacy and on March 29, 2007, he posthumously received the highest civilian award bestowed by the federal legislature, the Congressional Gold Medal. US president George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
honored Roberts and other Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal for their bravery, patriotism and the flying skills that helped persuade President Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
to desegregate the armed forces. In March 2009, a sculpture by Marlin Miller was dedicated in Warr Memorial Park in Pass Christian, Mississippi
Pass Christian, Mississippi
Pass Christian , nicknamed The Pass, is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, United States, along the Gulf of Mexico. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. On September 10, 2009, a new consolidated aircraft maintenance facility for the 403rd Wing at Keesler AFB was dedicated and named in Robert's honor.