ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 12, 1995 TAG: 9512120035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
``Colonel Meeks, are you and your men ready to die?'' bellowed an officer in 1944 while briefing Lt. Col. Lawrence Eugene Meeks for D-Day. Meeks firmly replied: ``Hell, no! We're ready to do our jobs, sir!''
Meeks, 88, who was awarded several medals during a 35-year military career that included leading a battalion ashore on D-Day, fought his last battle against Alzheimer's disease. He died Saturday at the McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond.
Meeks lived in Roanoke most of his life but moved to Richmond in 1991 to be closer to his family. His son, Larry Meeks, lives in Richmond.
Meeks earned two Silver Stars - the third highest medal for valor - on June 6, 1944, when he commanded the 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry, 29th Division on its D-Day mission. His memories of the mission were included in the 29th Division's newsletter in November 1992.
By the end of World War II, his honors included a Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Stars for gallantry in action and the European Campaign Medal with one Invasion Arrowhead and four Battle Stars.
After the war ended, Meeks served as a regimental executive officer of the 507th Regiment, 17th Airborne Division and as a senior military adviser to the commanding general of South Korea, 37th Infantry Division. He retired as a colonel in 1960.
Meeks' funeral is Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
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