Lawrence V. Castner
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Lawrence Varsi Castner (May 1, 1902 – December 7, 1949) was an American businessman, fencer and military officer. He competed in the individual and team sabre events at the
1924 Summer Olympics The 1924 Summer Olympics (french: Jeux olympiques d'été de 1924), officially the Games of the VIII Olympiad (french: Jeux de la VIIIe olympiade) and also known as Paris 1924, were an international multi-sport event held in Paris, France. The op ...
. His greatest acclaim came during World War II, when he led a unit known as
Castner's Cutthroats Castner's Cutthroats was the unofficial name for the 1st Alaskan Combat Intelligence Platoon (Provisional), also known as Alaskan Scouts. Castner's Cutthroats fought during World War II and were instrumental in defeating the Japanese during the ...
in Alaska.


Biography

Lawrence V. Castner was born in San Francisco on May 1, 1902. He is the son of Major General
Joseph Compton Castner Joseph Compton Castner (November 18, 1869 - July 8, 1946) was a United States Army general. He commanded the Ninth Infantry Brigade in all its operations as a part of the Fifth Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the final month ...
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1923. For his service in Alaska, he earned the
Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation. Examples include: *Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action * Distinguishe ...
and the
Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...
. He died at his mother's home in Oakland, California on December 7, 1949, after a long illness, and was buried at
San Francisco National Cemetery San Francisco National Cemetery is a United States national cemetery, located in the Presidio of San Francisco, California. Because of the name and location, it is frequently confused with Golden Gate National Cemetery, a few miles south of the ci ...
.


References


External links

* 1902 births 1949 deaths American male sabre fencers United States Army personnel of World War II Fencers at the 1924 Summer Olympics Olympic fencers for the United States Sportspeople from Anchorage, Alaska Fencers from San Francisco United States Army colonels Businesspeople from Anchorage, Alaska Military personnel from Anchorage, Alaska 20th-century American businesspeople Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Recipients of the Legion of Merit Burials at San Francisco National Cemetery {{US-fencing-bio-stub