The following is written by my friend Merlin Lawson, brother of former USSS Agent Win Lawson. He reflects on one of Win’s favorite “agent anecdotes.”
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My brother, Winston “Win” George Lawson, a native of western New York and a graduate of the University of Buffalo, served in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) before he became a Special Agent in the US Secret Service in 1959. Initially, he worked in the agency’s field office in Syracuse, New York. But after Win completed his Treasury School and Secret Service training at the top of his class and was one of the central agents who cracked a counterfeiting ring in Syracuse, he was noticed by his senior agents in Washington DC. He was transferred to the nation’s capital in 1961 and was based there for the remainder of his distinguished twenty-two-year career during which he was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations. He retired in 1981 as the Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of Inspection.
In 1960, when Win was still a rookie agent, he was given a two-week temporary assignment on President Eisenhower’s protective detail. At this time, President Eisenhower spent most of his weekends at his farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. One weekend, Win was working the midnight to morning shift (12 am to 8 am) there, posted just outside of the farmhouse, at the entrance of the nearby barn. This position marked the closest of the agents to the president, who was inside the house.
Win’s shift was nearing completion one quiet, peaceful morning. The sun was ascending over the horizon, and the cawing of birds had just begun when, suddenly, loud explosions were heard – BAM…BAM!!! – from somewhere inside the house.
Win nearly levitated as he grabbed his walkie-talkie and screamed, “Shots fired! Converge on Sunshine!” (code name for the Eisenhower farmhouse.)
He ran to the house, readied his gun, and rushed inside, heading towards the sunporch where the smell of gunfire still lingered. There he found President Eisenhower standing at an open sliding glass door holding a smoking shotgun. Glowering, he turned to Win and muttered, “Those damn crows, I’m going to shoot every one of them!”
Win paused, speechless momentarily, as other agents came charging in.
“Yes sir, Mr. President,” Win responded, and he turned to leave.
Win walked back to the barn, his pulse still racing. He was relieved that his president was safe. He couldn’t say the same for the crows.
By Merlin Lawson, as told to me by my brother.
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LINKS:
NPS: Tour Eisenhower Gettysburg home
Eisenhower Library About Ike Residences
