LDS Scene

U.S. AIR FORCE CAPTAIN DAVID A. SAWYER, a high councilor in the South Carolina East Stake, was recently awarded top military honors in recognition of his actions during the Indochina War. He received the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for heroism, for his actions as a fighter pilot in providing air cover for search and rescue operations for two downed pilots in November 1972. This action came in the face of adverse weather conditions and intense enemy antiaircraft fire. The second honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross, was awarded in recognition of extraordinary performance. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, Brother Sawyer was graduated from Brigham Young University in 1968 and commissioned in the Reserve Officers Training Corps. He is married and has two children.

JEAN R. JENKINS, an assistant professor of speech at BYU, has been reelected president of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies at its recent conference. Max Golightly, BYU assistant professor of drama, was appointed librarian; in addition, he was awarded a first prize for his poetry. Three other members of the Church took six additional first prizes in the contest of 6,519 entries in 45 categories: Lael W. Hill, three first prizes; Alice Morrey Bailey, two first prizes; and Vesta P. Crawford, one first prize.

DR. LORIN F. WHEELWRIGHT, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University, has been appointed head of overall planning and preparation for the university’s 1975–76 centennial celebration. In assuming this new position, he will retire from his deanship when his successor is named in the near future. In addition to many anticipated centennial programs, a history of BYU will be published. Research on the volume is being directed by Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, former president of BYU and now serving as chairman of the Centennial History Committee.

U.S. MARINE STAFF SERGEANT RICHARD W. DORAY, JR., a group leader at the Parris Island Recruit Depot, Beaufort, South Carolina, recently was named Military Citizen of the Quarter by the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce. Brother Doray, a member of the Beaufort Branch, Charleston Stake, was cited for his leadership in church and scouting activities as well as for his outstanding military performance.

A former Brigham Young University student who lost both legs when he tripped a booby-trap while serving in Vietnam has been named the United States Outstanding Disabled Veteran for 1973. MIKE R. JOHNSON, who also lost three fingers and a thumb in the incident, now is employed as an engineer draftsman with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Provo, Utah. He has been cited by the Disabled American Veterans for his “personal efforts in overcoming severe combat-incurred disabilities” and for assisting other handicapped people. Brother Johnson credits his family and the Church with helping him return to the mainstream of activity. “You’ve got to open up to people and be almost an extrovert to help yourself,” he says, “or you’ll feel sorry for yourself and stay in a deep depression.” Despite his handicap, he enjoys hunting and fishing, plays wheelchair basketball, and is a Scout leader. He also coaches a basketball team that last year won 13 games and lost one. He and his wife and baby son live in the Edgemont Eighth Ward, Edgemont Stake, where he teaches Sunday School.

Capt. David A. Sawyer