Squadron Leader Lawrence Menezes was a Flight Commander in a supersonic fighter Squadron from April 1967 to June 1970. He carried out a total of over 2,100 hours of flying on jets, of which over 500 hours were on supersonic fighter aircraft. He is one of the experienced supersonic fighter pilots who has played an outstanding part in training younger pilots to a high degree of professional efficiency. He has achieved a Master Green Instrument rating. As the Pilot Attack Instructor of his Squadron, he has been instrumental in the achievement of high standards of gunnery by the pilots.

Throughout, Squadron Leader Lawrence Menezes displayed professional skill and devotion to duty.

Air Commodore Lawrence Aloysious Menezes was commissioned on the 30th November, 1956. He is a very experienced fighter pilot with 3245 hours of flying on fighter aircraft and 1500 glider launches to his credit. He has had a glorious accident free record. He has held prestigious staff appointments at Air Headquarters and a Command Headquarters.

Air Cmde Lawrence Aloysious Menezes had actively participated in both IndoﾃつｭPak Wars in 1965 and in 1971. Apart from Vayu Sena Medal awarded to him in 1971 for his outstanding performance as a Flight Commander of MiGﾃつｭ21 Squadron, he was commended twice, first by the Air Officer CommandingﾃつｭinﾃつｭChief HQ WAC and second time by the Chief of the Air Staff.

As a Gp Capt, Air Cmde Lawrence Aloysious Menezes did an exceptional job in bringing up one of the Air Force Stations to a full fledged fighter Wing from a Forward Base Support Unit. On promotion to the rank of Air Cmde, he was given a prestigious appointment of Air I of an operational command. On completion of the staff tenure, he was selected for National Defence College Course. He was given the command of an operational base for the second time in 1987. Displaying very high order of leadership, organisational ability, manﾃつｭmanagement and total involvement, he brought up the Station to high state of operational preparedness. This was amply displayed in performance of the Early Warning Force and the Strategic Reconnaissance Force placed under his command. Under his leadership, his Wing was awarded the 'Best Maintenance Trophy' in 1987-88. In 1988-89, the Wing was awarded the 'Best Admin Trophy' and to crown it all, the 'Overall Best Station Trophy' in Central Air Command.

Air Commodore Lawrence Aloysious Menezes, VM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.