Lawrence George Fritz was born at Marine City, Michigan, on August 7, 1896. He attended Michigan Agricultural College, and on December 15, 1917, enlisted in the Army for the first World War. He served as a private and private first class, 282nd Aero Squadron, in this country and with the American Expeditionary Forces in England for five months. He was honorably discharged on December 24, 1918. He was appointed a second lieutenant, Air Reserve, on January 31, 1924.
SERVICE
Enlisting as a Flying Cadet on June 27, 1922, he received his primary flying training at the Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas, and was graduated in May 1923. He then proceeded to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas, and upon graduation was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Reserve.
His civilian background included the following: test pilot, Ford Motor Company, 1925-27; chief pilot and vice president, Maddus Airlines, Safeway Airlines, 1927-31; divisional superintendent, Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 1931-34; superintendent of operations, TWA, Kansas City, 1934-38; and vice president of operations, TWA, until he was mustered into federal service for the present emergency on April 26, 1942, as a captain, Air Corps.
His first assignment was to Washington, D.C., as Assistant Executive Plans and Training Officer, S-3, Ferry Command, Headquarters Air Transport Command. In May 1942 he became the Plans and Training Officer, S-3, Ferry Command, and the following July was named Chief of Operations and Assistant Chief of Staff, A-3, Headquarters, Air Transport Command. When the Air Transport Command was reorganized, he was designated Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations, Air Transport Command. He was assigned to command the United States Army Forces in Eastern Canada and the North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command, in October 1943, and in February 1945 assumed command of the North Atlantic Division, Air Transport Command, Manchester, New Hampshire.
He was released from active duty in January 1946 and continued serving as an Air Force Reserve officer, attaining the rank of major general in 1955. He retired from the Air Force Reserve on August 31, 1956.
After World War II he served as vice president of operations for American Airlines until his retirement for reasons of health on November 15, 1955.
He was rated a Command Pilot and was a member of the Grey Eagles and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
PROMOTIONS
He was promoted to first lieutenant, Air Reserve, on March 25, 1931; and to captain on June 29, 1937. He was ordered to extended active duty in the latter grade on April 26, 1942, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel (temporary) on May 5, 1942; to major (temporary) on November 14, 1942; to colonel (temporary) on June 29, 1942; to brigadier general (temporary) on June 6, 1944.
DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, World War I Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal.
He was awarded the Air Medal in 1943, with the following citation:
“For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flights from 24 October to 18 November 1942. In the capacity of pilot, Colonel Fritz volunteered to fly a new type of aircraft over the North Atlantic Wing during the season of the most severe icing conditions of the year. This airplane had just been assigned to the Air Transport Command, and in addition to the operational survey it was highly important to tabulate the details of its performance over this hazardous route. On the return flight Colonel Fritz piloted another type of aircraft to determine its capabilities under the same climatic hazards. Information gained on these trips expedited the safe transport of personnel and material to theaters of action and was of inestimable value of the furtherance of the entire war effort. In the accomplishment of his mission, Colonel Fritz displayed marked professional skill and a steadfast devotion to duty which reflect great credit on himself and the Army Air Forces.”