Obituary of Phillip Douglas Lawson

First Sergeant Phillip “Doug” Lawson, 44, of Elgin, South Carolina, formerly of Emlyn, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Doug was born in Corbin, Kentucky January 29, 1974 to Phillip and Rosemary Lawson.

He enlisted in the US Army on 31 March 2004 as a M1 Abrams Tank Crewman. He also attended the US Army Sniper School and later served as a Sniper in support of the Global War on Terrorism. His five overseas tours include one tour to Germany in 2006; one tour to Iraq in 2006; one to Afghanistan in 2014; and one tour to Germany/Poland. He recently returned in 2018 with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Korea as part of the rotational tank brigade to support 2nd Infantry Division. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, five Army Commendation Medals, and five Army Achievement Medals.

He served in multiple positions to include Platoon Sergeant, Operations Sergeant and Drill Sergeant. His greatest contributions to the Army were made the day he pinned on First Sergeant. The First Sergeant is an expert and a professional on all matters and the primary liaison with the commander on all matters concerning the enlisted corps. He always took the opportunity to thank all who inspired, served, led, followed, and taught him to lead as a First Sergeant and never missed an opportunity to coach, teach, and mentor both Officers, Enlisted, Civilians, and Families.

Doug is survived by his wife of seventeen years, Daniela; and their two children, Kevin and Kyle Lawson; parents, Phillip and Rosemary Lawson; sisters, Sonya (Onnie) Meadors and Sandra Teague (Anthony Inman); nieces, Jessica (Guston) Thomas, Heather (Caleb) Shirley, Sara Meadors, Crystal Teague and Kayla Teague; and nephew, Adam Teague and his fiancée, Becca Owens; along with many great nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and fellow Soldiers that mourn the loss of this great son, brother, husband, father, uncle, friend, and Soldier.

A memorial for 1SG Doug Lawson will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Burial with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4710 Percival Road, Columbia, SC.