NORTH BRUNSWICK – Continuing in the tradition of honoring veterans who served the country and the town, North Brunswick officials recognized Gerard Lawrence with an honorary street sign in his memory.
Lawrence Way is located on Overhill Drive and Hidden Lake Drive.
Lawrence was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 17, 1922, according to a proclamation read during a special ceremony on May 9.
He attended Brooklyn College and graduated from North Carolina State University, where he studied chemical engineering and was a member of the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) at North Carolina State. He entered the Army straight out of ROTC and did his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He arrived in England in November 1944 and moved to France for combat activity along the German/French border.
Lawrence’s first major combat activity in the 87th Division was as part of Patton’s Third Army; they were the first Allied units to break through the Siegfried Line near Strasbourg, France. His division was sent to help the 101st Airborne Division break their encirclement at Bastogne, Belgium. His regiment was located to the northwest of Bastogne, and on the night of Dec. 31, 1944, they moved into action, according to the proclamation.
Lawrence was wounded in action against the Panzer Lehr armored division, which was an experienced combat unit from the eastern front with Russia, under Hitler’s order to fight their way into Belgium and capture a major allied port at Antwerp. The 347th regiment broke though the German lines in early January 1945. Lawrence was wounded and had frozen feet from a blizzard and less than minus-40 degree Fahrenheit temperatures while wearing summer weight uniforms and footgear.
Lawrence recovered and returned to the U.S. aboard a hospital ship in April 1945. He received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, a Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Campaign Ribbons.
He was married to Lillian on Aug. 11, 1944, in Columbia, South Carolina. Together they had two sons, Kenneth and Richard.
Lawrence had a service business in Brooklyn from 1961-75,cleaning and glazing bakery pans for major commercial bakers, mainly in the New York metro area as well as customers in New England, New York State and Pennsylvania.
He resided in North Brunswick for 20 years from July 1978 until his death in Dec 1998. Lillian continued living in North Brunswick until her death in April 2005.
To nominate a veteran for the street naming program, call 732-247-0922, ext. 475.
