So many of us call him “Mr. Lawson” because he was our teacher at Butte High School.

In class, Michael Lawson always such a down-to-Earth teacher who related very well to the students. He never talked about his part in the Vietnam War or any of his military days. We had no idea that our teacher was a true American hero.

Not only did Mr. Lawson serve two tours in Vietnam, he earned a Bronze Star with a Combat “V” and a Purple Heart.

Check out this portion of his citation for the Bronze Star.

“For heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam … On May 15, 1968, Company H was conducting a search and destroy operation near Khe Sanh when the Marines suddenly came under intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. … Several men in the point squad were wounded, including the squad leader. Reacting instantly, Corporal Lawson unhesitatingly took charge of the unit and skillfully maneuvered the men to a more defensible position … Realizing that numerous casualties were lying in positions dangerously exposed to the enemy fire, he disregarded his own safety and rushed across fifty meters of fire-swept terrain to assist his injured comrades. Ignoring the enemy rounds impacting near him, he quickly picked up a wounded man and unhesitatingly carried him to a position of relative safety. On three additional occasions he fearlessly exposed himself to hostile fire while moving injured Marines to covered positions.”

Mr. Lawson continues to work with the Marine Corps League and Toys for Tots. He also is the local commander for Disabled American Veterans. When he cannot find a volunteer driver, Mr. Lawson will drive veterans to Fort Lewis in Helena to see a doctor.

If you’d like to volunteer to be a driver, contact Mr. Lawson at lawsonml@mac.com.

Listen in to this podcast as Mr. Lawson talks about growing up at the Columbia Gardens in Butte. Listen as he talks about enlisting in the Marines when he was 17 and getting sent to Vietnam for his 18th birthday.

Listen as he talks about his many jobs between the Marines and his career as a teacher.

Listen as he talks about his busy schedule, even though he is “retired” at 76.

Today’s podcast is presented by Thriftway Super Stops. Download the TLC app and start saving today.