Jack Aaron Lawson was born on June 8, 1919 in Wilburton, Kansas. He was the son of Wesley A. Lawson and Susan Lorinda Lawson. He served in the 84th Troop Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a First Lieutenant during World War II.

On June 6, 1944, during Mission Detroit on D-Day, a CG-4A Waco glider (serial number 43-27453, Chalk #52), carrying troops from the 80th Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion, was being towed toward Normandy by C-47 Skytrain #42-100803, piloted by 1st Lt. Jack Aaron Lawson. During the mission, the glider disconnected after the glider pilot observed that the C-47 had been struck by German flak or machine-gun fire and was no longer under control. The glider crash-landed near Quettehou, France, striking an electrical pole and a hedge, but all troops aboard survived with minor or no injuries and later rejoined their units. Tragically, Lt. Lawson and his crew perished in the crash of the C-47. 1LT Lawson is buried now in the White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, USA.

C-47 #42-100803 crew:
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jack A Lawson, KS
Co Pilot: 2nd Lt. Donald W Handegaard, MN
Radio Operator: Sgt. Charles R Kittle, OH
Bombardier: T/Sgt. Henry S Maranz, NJ

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.fold3.com