USS William P. Lawrence

Commissioned in 2011, the William P. Lawrence honors Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence, a naval aviator who was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967 and spent six and a half years as a prisoner of war before coming home. Lawrence went on to serve as Superintendent of the Naval Academy and commander of the Naval Test Pilot School—shaping the officer corps of the next generation. Few officers have served in more roles or endured more than he did.