05/13/2026
I’m truly honored that the City of Leeds chose me to paint this mural honoring three of their hometown heroes — three men whose courage, sacrifice, and service represent the very best of this community and this country.
Alford Lee McLaughlin: A United States Marine Corps master sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean War, specifically during the Battle of Bunker Hill on September 4-5, 1952. He bravely defended his outpost against a battalion of enemy forces, using machine guns, a carbine, and hand grenades to hold off the attack.
William Robert Lawley Jr.: A pilot in the Air Force who received the Medal of Honor for saving the lives of his crew during World War II. On February 20, 1944, his B17 airplane was shot out of formation and severely damaged, but Lawley managed to fly the plane back to England, despite being injured and having a co-pilot killed.
Henry "Red" Erwin: A radio operator in the Army Air Forces during World War II who received the Medal of Honor for saving his plane and crew from a burning phosphorus smoke bomb. Despite being severely burned and blinded, Erwin crawled through the plane and threw the bomb out the window, preventing a catastrophic explosion.
These three men are remembered in Leeds for extraordinary bravery, selflessness, and devotion to others. Being trusted to help tell their story through this mural is something I don’t take lightly.
