World War II Honoree

Lawrence A. Cross

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pennsylvania

Honored By

Terri Ann Scott and Family

Relationship

Daughter

HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE 507TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION, WHOSE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY WAS RIFLEMAN 745. HIS ENTRY INTO ACTIVE SERVICE WAS 25 MARCH 1943. HE ATTENDED INFANTRY SCHOOL AND PARACHUTE JUMPING AT FT. BENNING, GEORGIA. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE 507TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT ENGAGED IN OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE ACTION IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS MAKING NINE PARACHUTE JUMPS. AFTER JUMPING FROM THE AIRPLANE TO ENGAGE THE ENEMY, HE LOADED, AIMED AND FIRED A RIFLE TO DESTROY ENEMY PERSONNEL AND PROPERTY. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: GO 33 AND 40, WD 45, RHINELAND CENTRAL EUROPE. HE WAS AWARDED THE FOLLOWING MEDALS: WWII VICTORY MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED UNIT BADGE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE STARS. TOTAL LENGTH OF SERVICE: CONTINENTAL-2 YEARS, 2 MONTHS, 18 DAYS; FOREIGN-7 MONTHS, 10 DAYS. HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED ON 31 JANUARY 1946.