A well-respected admiral known as much for his integrity and dignity as for his accomplishments, and one of the greatest naval tactical commanders of World War II will be commemorated by two new Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to be built for the U.S. Navy. Names for the USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) were to be announced May 11 by Navy Secretary Donald Winter. The choices continue the recent practice of applying well-deserved new names and perpetuating classic ship monikers for the Navy’s destroyers. Vice Adm. Bill Lawrence, who died in December 2005 at the age of 75, had a long and varied career that ranged from the early days of jet aviation and the space program to imprisonment in North Vietnam, followed by a major command.
