Lawrence B. Stauber, Sr.
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Lawrence B. Stauber, Sr. entered the Army as a Private June 18, 1942. Home at entry: Duluth, Minnesota.
He served in New Guinea, Luzon, Ulithe, Palau, and Japan occupation.
Mr. Stauber shared the following; "Raised to the rank of Technical Sergeant with the Antitank Company of the 323rd Infantry Regt. and 81st Infantry 'Wildcat' Div. Rose through the enlisted ranks to Master Sergeant; commissioned Second Lieutenant, Company F, 81st Div., on June 30, 1949.
"Served as the first commander of the 477th Medical Ambulance Company, Army Reserve, Duluth; promoted to Major. Retired from military service on October 30, 1975.
"Military training was hell most of the time, but very satisfying. Spent three months in Ranger training, Camp Rucker, in the heat, rain, mud, and dirt. Owe my life to this training! The entire Pacific operation was wet, hot with poor living conditions and food. Terrible living led to unrest and stress but, with the war taking a turn for the better, everything turned around and finally, after the occupation of Japan, we were able to return to the good old USA. Combat is soon put on the back burner and the good things in life come to the forefront."
Mr. Stauber retired from military service as a Major on October 30, 1975, in Duluth, Minnesota. He was awarded the following: Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze battle stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), and Philippine Liberation Medal.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 306.
