Background
Roberts was born on December 9, 1922 in Vauxhall, New Jersey.
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Lawrence Roberts
Edit ProfileEducation
Roberts attended Howard University, received his bachelor"s from Morningside College, and received his master"s degree from the Tuskegee Institute.
Career
He was the father of newscaster Robin René Roberts. Roberts entered the United States Army Air Corps at Keesler Air Force Base in 1943. He was assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen program in 1944.
Roberts flew Piper Cubs, North American B-25 Mitchell bombers, Douglas C-54 Skymaster transports and North American F-86 Sabre and fighter jets.
Roberts also served as an instructor in Tuskegee University"s Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program from 1958 to 1960. He was one of the founders of the Keesler Air Force Base Gospel service, the oldest gospel service in the United States Air Force.
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 of a heart attack.
He was buried with full military honors.
Services were held at the Triangle Chapel at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi and he was buried at Biloxi National Cemetery. In March 2009, a sculpture by Marlin Miller was dedicated in War Memorial Park in Pass Christian, Mississippi. On September 10, 2009, a new consolidated aircraft maintenance facility for the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base was dedicated and named in Roberts"s honor.
Achievements
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He served in the Vietnam War and received 18 service medals and awards. Since his death, Roberts posthumously received awards throughout the country. In 2004, shortly after he died, the Mississippi Legislature drafted a resolution honoring his life and on March 29, 2007, he posthumously received the Congressional Gold Meda
Politics
President George West. Bush honored Roberts with the Congressional Gold Medal for bravery, patriotism and helping persuade President Harry South. Truman to desegregate armed forces.
Membership
Tuskegee Airmen.
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Born
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Died
October 12, 2004 (aged 81) -
Nationality
American
Awards
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legionnaire of Legion of Merit; Legion of Merit Congressional Gold Medal
A Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress; the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian awards in the United States.A Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress; the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian awards in the United States.