Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1944 Lucky Bag:

Lawrence Maxon Amburgey

Tom arrived here early in September, 1940, and has been extolling the wonders of Tennessee and Andrew Jackson ever since. After spending some time at West Point he finally decided to enter the Navy via the Academy. He succeeded in pulling through even though he couldn’t swim or “Parlez” any too well. Gifted with a natural sense of humor, he was the life of the party wherever he went. Navy wardrooms will always enjoy his presence. Although he spent a lot of time on the sub squad, he still managed to enjoy himself either sleeping in his bunk or arguing for the cause of the South.

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The Class of 1944 was graduated in June 1943 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Lawrence was lost when his USS Bonefish (SS 223) was sunk with all hands by Japanese surface forces on June 18, 1945 in Toyama Bay, Honshu, Japan.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Lawrence graduated from McMinn County High School in Athens and was captain of the football team. He also attended Tennessee Military Institute at Sweetwater and played football. Then, he studied one year at Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens where he was a member of Phi Pi Delta and played football.

In 1939, Lawrence was recommended for the Naval Academy as an alternate by Senator A. T. Stewart. In June 1939, he started at West Point. To swell the ranks for the Class of 1940, Lawrence was admitted to the Naval Academy.

He married Mary Jo Shipley on July 24, 1943, in Jacksonville, Florida.

According to the obituary of his wife, “Josie” Cross, he was on his first combat patrol with Bonefish. His service number was O-282821. On Eternal Patrol lists him with the Bronze Star medal; unable to find a citation.

He has a memory marker in Kentucky.

Photographs

From the yearbook of Tennessee Wesleyan College

From the Tennessee Military Institute yearbook

From The Knoxville Journal on June 18, 1939