Photo: author's name unknown / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Lawrence Colburn, born on July 6, 1949 in Coulee Dam, Washington, United States, was a military personnel. Lawrence Colburn died on December 13, 2016 at the age of 67. Recorded honors include Bronze Star Medal and Soldier's Medal.
My Take
Lawrence Colburn earns my deepest respect, and it has nothing to do with the Bronze Star or Soldier's Medal he received. As a helicopter gunner at My Lai in 1968, he helped intervene to protect civilians while violence and conformity surrounded him. To me, that is the truest form of courage: not the weapon you point at an enemy, but the line you hold against your own side. Medals came later as recognition, but the real act was that split-second moral stand. Colburn died in 2016, yet his choice deserves to be retold whenever we ask what conscience actually costs.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Lawrence Colburn
- Name (Japanese)
- ローレンス・コルバーン
- Reading
- ろーれんす・こるばーん
- Born
- July 6, 1949 – December 13, 2016
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Ox
- Origin
- Coulee Dam, Washington, United States
- Occupation
- military personnel
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- Bronze Star Medal
- Soldier's Medal
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence%20Colburn
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6503932
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Lawrence Colburn born?
Born July 6, 1949.
When did Lawrence Colburn die?
Died December 13, 2016, aged 67.
Where was Lawrence Colburn from?
Lawrence Colburn was from Coulee Dam, Washington, United States.
What did Lawrence Colburn do?
Lawrence Colburn worked as military personnel.
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