Bruce Edward Lawrence was born on January 12, 1943, the son of Edna Geisner and Robert E. Lawrence. His home of record is Phillipsburg, NJ. He had a sister, Barbara and a brother, Richard. He attended Phillipsburg High School and graduated in 1960. He served as class officer for three years and participated in varsity football, basketball and baseball. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Rutgers University and graduated in 1965. While at Rutgers, he was awarded two varsity letters in football and became a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

He entered the US Air Force from Phillipsburg, NJ, and attained the rank of Major (MAJ). He was with the 557 Tactical Fighter Sq. Cam Ranh Bay AB VS unit.

On July 5, 1968, Lawrence's plane was hit and crashed to the ground. Since no remains were recovered, he was considered missing in action.

There is a memorial at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ dedicated to the graduates who were killed or missing in action from the Vietnam War. Lawrence's name is listed among those missing in action.

Synopsis (from the POW Network) as to the circumstances behind being listed as MIA:
On July 5, 1968, Major Lawrence was the co-pilot of an F-4C aircraft that was on an armed reconnaissance mission in North Vietnam when his plane was hit by hostile anti-aircraft fire. Their wingman observed their aircraft turn into a large fireball with streaks of fire trailing out of the bottom, followed by a second smaller explosion. There were no parachutes observed and no beepers heard. Intense hostile fire prevented a daylight search of the area. Both airmen were declared missing in action.

Sources: Richard Lawrence (brother), POW Network and NJVVMF.