ARM2c Lawrence E. Sawyer served with Torpedo Squadron Eleven (VT-11) onboard the USS Hornet (CV-12) from September, 1944 to January, 1945. On January 9, 1945, while returning from a mission, Lawrence's TBM-1C Avenger Number:122 was Hit by anti-aircraft fire over the Southern tip of Formosa (Taiwan). The plane made a water landing and two of the three aircrew were seen in a life raft. A submarine was dispatched to the area and no survivors were found. ARM2c Lawrence E. Sawyer was awarded the Air Medal with two gold stars and the Purple Heart.