Reds Hall of Famer Brooks Lawrence was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroics

The Cincinnati Reds marked Veterans Day by recalling Brooks Lawrence’s military service and the Bronze Star Medal he earned in 1945 for heroics while on duty. Lawrence is one of 23 Reds Hall of Fame inductees who served in the Armed Forces.

A right-handed pitcher for Cincinnati from 1956 to 1960, Lawrence was an All-Star in 1956, a season in which the Reds set a record with 221 home runs. In 1956 he won 19 games, including his first 13 decisions, and he followed with a 16-win season in 1957.

The Reds’ Veterans Day account places Lawrence’s combat experience in the Pacific during World War II. After bootcamp at Fort Benjamin Harrison in 1943, he trained and served in Seattle and then reached Pearl Harbor in June 1944 before heading to Guam later that month.

While assigned to work on airfields with his Army Engineers aviation unit, the Reds say Lawrence witnessed an attack when a Japanese fighter plane began raining bullets during a break in their duties. Lawrence’s unit took cover, and the Reds describe him leaping onto a nearby jeep to fire a mounted machine gun during the second sweep after he heard his friend shout “Bandits.” The plane later crashed into the ocean, and the Reds report there were injuries but no fatalities.

According to the Reds, Lawrence’s niece, Cheryl Lyons, later shared details about his service and the medal presentation. The Reds say that when he was called forward for the ceremony dismissing the group to go home, he questioned whether the award was intended for him, but the Bronze Star was presented anyway. The Reds also say the Hall of Fame plaques of Lawrence and the club’s other 22 Reds Hall of Famers who served will be marked with an American flag for visitors’ reference.