Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company D, 760th Tank Battalion, 7th Indian Infantry Brigade, 4th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army

Laurence R. Custer, Staff Sergeant, Company D, 760th Tank Battalion. For heroic action in combat on 19 March 1944 near Monte Cassino, Italy. In the face of heavy enemy fire, Staff Sergeant Custer went forward in a light tank to make an attack on Albaneta House. Upon successfully reaching his initial objective he attacked on toward Monte Cassino to a point approximately 800 yards of the Monastery where his tank was disabled by a mine, and he was surrounded by enemy snipers. He directed fire on a German bivouac area a few hundred yards away and German troops along the road until the ammunition was exhausted. Staff Sergeant Custer remained in his tank until another tank succeeded in coming up alongside to evacuate him to the rear. Staff Sergeant Custer’s cool manner and aggressiveness typifies the finest traditions of the United States Army. Home address: Battle Creek, Michigan.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Staff Sergeant

Unit:

Company D, 760th Tank Battalion, 7th Indian Infantry Brigade, 4th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army