General Lawson Material – Presidential Aide To Nixon & Ford. SOLD

Description

General Lawson Material – Presidential Aide To Nixon & Ford.

This collection of material came from a much larger group of material relating to the military service of 4 Star General Richard L. Lawson, USAF.  In August of 1973, he was appointed as the military assistant to Presidents Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford.

The material in this collection is all from that period as military aide, and consists of the following.

• Presidential Appointment to be Military Aide to Richard Nixon, sealed and dated 6 August, 1973.  Signed by the President and Secretary of Defense, James R. Schlinger (most likely autopen signatures).  Framed. 15 x 19 inches.
• Copy from the White House, dated February 6, 1974, “To the Senate of the United States: I nominate the following officers for temporary appointment in the United States Air Force …….To Be Major General / Brigadier General Richard L.Lawson….(signed by President Nixon.   11 x 17 inches.
• Large black & white glossy taken in the Oval Office, President Nixon shaking hands with General Lawson. Marked on the back, Official Photograph / The White House/ Washington.  10 x 13.5 inches.
• Another similar view (with another AF officer to the left) in the Oval Office, in color.  White House photograph.  same size.
• Color Photographs of the Nixon family given to the Lawsons. One photo is White House Photograph, the other on a less quality paper. The WH photo measures 8 x 10 inches.
• Presidential Appointment to be Military Aide to Gerald Ford, sealed and dated 9 August, 1974.  Signed by the President and Secretary of Defense, James R. Schlinger (most likely autopen signatures).  Framed. 15 x 19 inches.
• Large black & white glossy photo taken in the Oval Office, showing President Ford pinning on Lawson’s second star, to the rank of major general, with his wife assisting on the left. White House Photo. 10 x 13 inches.
• Similar, Mrs. Lawson shaking President Ford’s hand, with the General looking on.  same size.
• 4 similar photos taken in the Oval Office, 2 of which show some unidentified aides, political types.  Each is  8.5 x 13.5 inches. All are WH photos.
• Color White House photo taken in the Oval Office with President Ford and the Lawson Family. 11 x 14 inches.
• Color White House Portrait photo of the Ford Family behind the President’s Desk.  8 x 10 inches.
• 8 x 10 photo, From Ft. Riley, Ks, showing General & Mrs. Lawson, meeting the Director of the Eisenhower Library, 14 October, 1973, at the Library to lay the wreath there, General Lawson acting as representative of the President.
• 8 x 10  color White House photo, showing General Lawson in full dress at a dinner party/function with two other unidentified gentlemen.
• Large B & W photo of Brigadier General Lawson.  11 x 14 inches.
• Large color photo of Major General Lawson, seen wearing his Presidential Service Badge.  11 x 14 inches.
• Plaque, shield shaped wood  with heavy round cast bronze featuring the main sign at Camp David, with presentation plate that reas, “Major General/ Richard L. Lawson/ U.S. Air Force.”  Maker label on the back.  11 inches high. Has some light damage to wood in the upper right corner, but not that noticable.
• 4 STERLING hallmarked clutch back generals stars, with a pair of “U.S.” collar insignia (hallmarked KREW 1/20 SIL FILLED).
• Command Pilot Wings, Clutch back, hallmarked “STERLING / 12 C.”  Showing light wear and age toning,
• 5 row ribbon bar- from the White House Era.  The first is an unknown ribbon, and I didn’t find it in military ribbon charts. It must be a ribbon worn during his time as Presidential Aide. Most Likely worn as brigadier general, as I have another (not offered here) with an OLC-Legion of Merit / 1 OLC- Soldier Medal- Bronze Star- Air Medal with 1 OLC- Joint Service Commendation w 3 OLCs (wrong color but this is what is list next in line for his medals)- Army Commendation Ribbon- Air Force Presidential Ribbon w 1 silver OLC- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 OLCs- National Defense Service medal- Vietnam Service medal with 3 bronze service stars- Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 OLCs- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon – Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross-  Vietnam Campaign Medal.  Custom made with silk thread, and some bullion accents.  Clutch back.
• Air Force Missileman Badge, clutch back, hallmarked  “G – 23 / 1/20 S.F.”  2.5 inches.
• General Lawson’s White House badge, laminated paper.
• Combination pocket knife/ money clip with Presidential Seal affixed, approximately 2 inches long.
• Engraving plate for Lawson’s calling card as Military Assistant to the President.
• Stiff paper card with “General Lawson” and Presidential seal in green ink.  2 1/4 x 4 inches.  Some soiling.
• Card, “To Reach the White House Switchboard in Vladivostok,” business card stock and size.
• 2 other CCCP cards.

General Richard L. Lawson , USAF – Born in Fairfield, Iowa in 1929.  He attended the University of Iowa and graduated from Parsons College in 1951.  While at Parson’s College, General Lawson enlisted in the Iowa National Guard and later called to active duty with the 133rd Infantry Regt. as sergeant major at Fort Riley, Kansas.  He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in Nov. of 1951, and was then assigned to the 133rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron.