Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private 1st Class

Unit:

Company C, 760th Tank Battalion, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull", U.S. Army

Lawrence J. Chapman, 17033103, Private First Class, Company C, 760th Tank Battalion, for exceptionally meritorious service in action in Cassino, Italy, from ** to ** February 1944. As a crew member of a tank he assisted in holding an advanced and precarious position against strong enemy opposition for more than sixty hours until relieved. Despite the fact that he was in constant danger from enemy self-propelled guns, enemy Infantry patrols and anti-tank rockets, he assisted in manning for eight hours the gun on a disabled tank which was precariously tipped at the edge of a shell crater. When this tank slipped down into the crater so that the gun could no longer be used he returned to his own tank and assisted in manning the gun on it for another forty-eight hours until relieved. His courageous action and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the best traditions of the armed forces of the United States. Entered service from: Bettendorf, Iowa.