TOP PHOTO:  A very young Lawrence Lay who fibbed about his age so he could enlist.

By:  Charlotte Underwood

Lawrence Lay served in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam.
NEWCOMB, TN (WLAF) –  Three time war veteran Lawrence Lay passed away on Dec. 30 at the age of 91 at his home.  Lay was born in Newcomb.  He was retired from the United States Navy and served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.  Lay entered into service on Feb. 10, 1945 and retired from the military on Sept. 1, 1964 as a Gunner’s Mate First Class.

Family members confirmed that he enlisted at age16 and lied about his age, saying he was actually 18.  His family said he didn’t have a birth certificate so the Navy did not know he was underage. His military birthday was listed as Dec. 26 of 1926, but based on “family recognition and social security” his real birthday was June 28 of 1928.

During his time in the military, he spent most of his time on the USS Liddle (above). The Liddle was a Buckley-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy. It was in service from 1943 to 1946 and was recommissioned from 1950 to 1959 and again from 1961 to 1967. The Liddle was active during World War II and also transported equipment to Korea through the mine infested waters of the East China and Yellow Seas in Sept. of 1945 and evacuated prisoners of war from Dairen, Manchuria. The ship continued to be active throughout the Korean War with transport and training. It was also active during the Cuban Missile Crisis, before being decommissioned on March 18, 1967.  As a Gunners Mate, Lay would have been responsible for the operation and maintenance of guided missile launching systems, gun mounts, and other ordnance equipment, as well as small arms and magazines, among other duties.

Lawrence Lay in his early years and then later.

When Lay retired from the Navy in 1964, he came home to Tennessee and married Carla Baird.  Four years later, their daughter was born.  According to Lay’s daughter Charity Kennemore, her dad named her when she was born after the verse in the Bible.  “He loved the verse about faith, love and charity and he always said charity was the best of all and that I was his gift from God,” Kennemore said. She shared a close bond with her dad as he stayed home and raised her while her mom worked. A devoted husband, Lawrence and Carla were married for 40 years.  His wife and daughter stated that Lawrence enjoyed spending time with family, reading, fishing and watching Tennessee sports.

He never left the house without his UT Vols hat on one family member noted.  “He always wore it except in the house and at church,” his daughter said.

“After the military, he just wanted to stay home and be with family and enjoy life; he was Mr. mom and raised me,” Kennemore said, adding that despite serving in three wars, her dad had enjoyed his time in the Navy and had always talked about it “fondly.”

“I just think it’s amazing that he survived all three wars without injuries and came home safely,” she said.  Lay has a military memorial brick at the wall in Jacksboro as well as a brick at the WWII Museum in Louisiana.

Lay requested to be cremated and no public services are planned.

His family will celebrate his life privately at his request.  Memorials may be made in his name to his brothers & sisters in arms at Disabled American Veterans @ DAV.org. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/06/2020-6AM)