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<em>Lawrence Byron Tatom</em> was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, just on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was here he spent the early part of his life, growing up during the depression years amidst a hard-working, religious family. Byron had a paper route, and together with his dog Skippy, were a familiar sight making deliveries every afternoon after school. He did well at Notre Dame High School where he participated in football. His all-around versatility in academics and sports earned him an appointment to the United States Military Academy from Senator Kefauver of Tennessee.</div>
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Byron came to West Point during the hot summer of 1949, went through the rigors of “Beast Barracks” with fortitude and his sense of humor intact. With the military penchant for last names, Byron was soon known affectionately as "Tate.’’ He was active as a cadet, participating in such diverse areas as boxing, lacrosse, Glee Club, Dialectic Society, and the Catholic Chapel Choir. Academically, his interests centered on the social sciences with special emphasis on politics and history. The Civil War was wittily explained to his Northern classmates, even the battle of Lookout Mountain, which was only a mile from his home in Tennessee. Tate was a “hive” but not the least bit selfish. He was always generous in assisting his less fortunate roommates. Tate exhibited as a cadet the same balance of good nature and intelligence that woidd be his hallmark throughout his life. Tate capped off his West Point years graduating 50th out of 512 in June 1953.</div>
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After finishing Air Force pilot training in the summer of 1954, he was assigned to the 451st Fighter Bomber Squadron at Victoria, Texas. He arrived with his new bride, the former Mary Lee Hill of Tampa, Florida. The 451st was one of the first squadrons to receive the new F-100 fighters and Byron was eager and willing to help work their "bugs” out as Maintenance Officer and pilot.</div>
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Early in 1956 Byron was on hand again to greet the first F-100s as they arrived at Itazukc Air Force Base, Japan. During this three-year tour of duty he served with distinction as Assistant Operations Officer, Test Pilot and Maintenance Officer. He was one of the most competitive fighter pilots in the wing and was respected as the most professional officer.</div>
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In 1959, the academic call overcame the desire to fly. He went to Syracuse University where he turned a Bachelor of Arts degree into a Doctor of Philosophy degree in two and one-half years. He now realized a long time dream, Political Science instructor at the United States Air Force Academy. Byron taught many of the honors courses and his specialty was Russia.</div>
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His devotion to freedom and democracy brought him full circle to flying again and destiny. In January of 1966 he left Mary Lee and their three children, Terry, Kathy and Lucy, in Florida and hurried to Pleiku, Vietnam, to join in the action with the 1st Air Commando Squadron flying the A-1E. During the next nine months he won the respect of all who flew with him as an aggressive and skilled pilot. On 10 September 1966, while supporting ground forces, his A-1E was shot down. He bailed out of the flaming wreck and appeared to make it to the ground with no problem. That was the last anyone saw or heard from “Tate.” He was listed among the Missing-in-Action from that day till 10 November 1976 when his status was officially changed to Killed-in-Action. Although Byron is no longer with us, his memory lives in the hearts of those who knew, loved and respected him.</div>
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