Lawrence V. Castner
FullnameLawrence Varsi Castner
Birth dateMay 1, 1902
Birth placeSan Francisco, California, United States
Death dateDecember 7, 1949 (aged 47)
Death placeOakland, California, United States
SportFencing
CollegeteamWest Point Military Academy Class of 1923
Show-medalsyes

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.[1] His greatest acclaim came during World War II, when he led a unit known as Castner's Cutthroats in Alaska.[2]

Biography

Lawrence V. Castner was born in San Francisco on May 1, 1902.[1][3] He is the son of Major General Joseph Compton Castner.[4] He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1923.[5]

For his service in Alaska, he earned the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.[3][5]

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.[3][5]

References

  1. ^ "Laurence Castner Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  2. ^ "Lawrence V. Castner". Olympedia. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "Colonel Castner Dies on Coast". The Daily Home News. 1949-12-08. p. 17. Retrieved 2022-12-21. – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Rev. John Howard Raven. Class of 1891, Rutgers college, history to 1913. p. 19.
  5. ^ "Colonel Castner Passes on in California". The Nome Nugget. AP. 1949-12-12. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-12-21. – via Newspapers.com.