Lawrence Edward Morrow, Sr. was a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who lost his life at age 25 while serving his country on a TDY deployment to Okinawa. His F4 jet fighter exploded when it crash-landed in the Pacific Ocean following a touch-and-go landing. Morrow served three years doing exactly what he had always wanted to do.
Morrow was born September 7, 1939, to his mother, Jessie Woodman, and he was adopted by MSG L. M. Morrow, his stepfather. He was reared predominantly in Montgomery, AL, and he graduated from Lanier High School in January 1958. Morrow enlisted in the AL Air National Guard and attended the University of AL for three years majoring in aeronautical engineering. In 1961, because he had scored so high on tests when he joined the Air National Guard (ANG) and because of the shortage of pilots with the ANG, he was offered the opportunity to leave college and receive pilot training. Morrow reported for duty at the ANG in Montgomery entering as a 2nd Lt. and completed13 months of pilot training at Craig AFB in Selma, AL, receiving his wings in May 1962. He was sent to McDill AFB, FL, and then to Okinawa for TDY for three and one-half months where he lost his life on May 24, 1965, during night flying. Morrow’s name is listed on a Wall of Remembrance in Colorado Springs, CO.
Morrow was respected and admired by NCO personnel. In 2001, a veteran NCO who had been stationed in Okinawa in 1965, called one of Morrow’s sons to tell him a story about his dad. The veteran stated that Morrow was the only pilot officer who would take time to chat informally with the NCO on the flight line. Morrow’s service as a fighter pilot involved hazardous missions. While in Okinawa, Morrow was sent on a mission to photograph a Russian MiG aircraft over Japan. Guns were removed from Morrow’s F-4 plane and replaced with cameras. Morrow was successful in getting vital pictures of the MiGs where other pilots had failed. He was awarded a medal and commendation posthumously.
Morrow was married to his wife, Patsy, for seven years, and they had two sons who were ages 18 months and two months old when he left for TDY at Okinawa. They had three grandchildren. His wife remembers Morrow saying, “There is one thing that I want to do. I want to fly jets.” Morrow was an active member of a Baptist Church, and he enjoyed playing golf as well as playing his guitar and singing.
Lawrence Edward, Jr. at age 35 wrote this poem in honor of his father:
The Lead
The night was black when you disappeared,
the weather not particularly bad.
I know this was something we all feared
and the darkness took away my Dad.I’ve been told about the man you were,
The way your smile could lift everyone.
Although your passion was flying, I’m sure
Your love was your wife and two sons.My mother gave me the strength and hope,
The courage to hold my head high.
She held me close as I try to cope
and stare into the night sky.Black as pitch, no light above,
you fall into the sea.
You disappeared from the things you loved,
and one of them was me.I’ve traveled the road of memories,
I can’t help but believe,
my life would be much different
If you had been the lead.You were on final, the next to land,
Then a radio call said I need a helping hand.
You refuse the strip of safety and make another pass.
You always put others first and always yourself last.Black as pitch, no light above,
You fall into the sea.
You disappeared from the things you loved,
and one of them was me.I’ve traveled the road of memories,
I can’t help but believe,
my life would be much different
If you had been the lead.
P.S. (Page 2A www.AlabamaGazette.com May 2021 by Dr. Martha Poole Simmons)
Notification made by Billy Fowler
Deceased Poet: Lawrence "Larry" Morrow
Obituary Link: "E:\AGENERAL FILES\LANIER Class of 1957\Individuals\Larry Morrow\Honoring Our Heros on Memorial Day.pdf"
Date Of Birth: September-7th-1967
Date Deceased: May-24th-1965
Age at Death: 25
Cause of Death: Air Force Fighter Jet crash in the South Pacific
Poet City: Montgomery
Poet State: AL
Poet Country: USA
Was a Veteran: Yes Air Force
Survived By: Wife: Patsy Wells Morrow Philpot - also in Class of 1957 - and two sons Lawrence Jr. and Benjamin. Larry Jr. was 18 months and Ben was two months old when their father was killed.
Larry was a great guy with a very good dry wit and a huge smile. He was one of my best friends from Baldwin Júnior High School and all the way through Lanier. He was very well-liked by everyone who knew him. He was also a good athlete. We played together on a YMCA basketball team and football team.