Lawrence G. Traynor
Born: August 23, 1917
Died: April 29, 2007
Married: Priscilla Claydon
Childen: Lawrence G. Traynor, Jr., Priscilla T. Simpson
Lawrence G. Traynor was a World War II veteran.
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ensign Lawrence G. Traynor, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane in Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), attached to the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action against enemy Japanese forces at Tulagi Harbor on 4 May 1942, and in the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7 and 8 May 1942. These attacks, vigorously and persistently pressed home in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and on 8 May opposed also by enemy fighters, resulted in the sinking or damaging of at least eight enemy Japanese vessels at Tulagi and the sinking of one carrier and the sinking or severe damaging of another in the Coral Sea. Ensign Traynor's conscientious devotion to duty and gallant self-command against formidable odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Philadelphia Inquirer, undated, at FindAGrave
CAPT. LAWRENCE GILWORTH TRAYNOR, USN, (Ret.), age 89 of West Grove, PA, formerly of North Star, Newark, DE passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2007 at Jenner's Pond. He was the husband of the late Priscilla Clayden Traynor who passed away in 2006 and with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.
Born August 23, 1917 in Paul Smith's, NY, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, Lawrence G. "Link" Traynor graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1940. After enlisting in the Navy in January, 1941, he received his wings and commission on November 1, 1941 in Jacksonville, FL.
As a dive bomber pilot flying SBD's in WWII, Link flew from the decks of the U.S.S. Yorktown, U.S.S. Enterprise and the U.S.S. Saratoga and was in ten Asiatic-Pacific campaigns. As a member of the Scouting Squadron 5 on the U.S.S. Yorktown, he was awarded the Navy Cross for the Battle of the Coral Sea and Tulagi Harbor, and received the Air Medal for attacks on Salamaua and Lae. Flying from the U.S.S. Enterprise, Link was authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation for performance against the enemy for the period of December 7, 1941 to December 15, 1942. Flying with Scouting/ Bombing 12 from the U.S.S. Saratoga, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with a gold star for raids on Rabul, Bougainville, New Britain and Gilbert Islands.
After WWII, Link commanded Attack Squadron 9A attached to the U.S.S. Philippine and later FASRON (Special) 200. On the staff of CINCLANT/ CINCLABTFLT, he was a Battle Staff Director during the Cuban Crisis. Ten of his thirty years in the Navy were spent in Washington, D.C. in the Air Material Bureaus, the office of the VCNO and the Naval Historical Center. He was awarded the Meritorious Service medal for the period of July, 1968 to August, 1970 and earned his Masters Degree in Teaching from American University. Following his retirement as a Captain, USN on July 1, 1972, he served as Naval Science instructor at a high school in the Wilmington, DE area for 5 years. In 1964, he was nominated for the annual Silver Anniversary All American Awards of Sports Illustrated, May-June. In 1967, he was cited by St. Lawrence University and is a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame.
He is survived by one son, Lawrence G. Traynor, Jr. Capt. USNR (Ret.); one daughter, Priscilla T. Simpson; 5 grandchildren, James Lawrence Simpson, Sarah Ainsworth Traynor, Margaret Alden Simpson, Jessica Blake Traynor and Andrew Tredwell Traynor. Family services and burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, where he will be interred alongside his wife on July 16, 2007.
Contributions in Captain Traynor's memory may be made to the Benevolent Care Fund of Jenner's Pond, 2000 Greenbriar Lane, West Grove, PA 19390. Arrangements by FOULK AND GRIECO FUNERAL HOME, WEST GROVE, PA (610-869-2685). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecofuneralhomes.com