Memorial

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Lawrence Getting's company was ordered to set outpost positions in the vicinity of Trabitz, Germany. The enemy attacked the positions which his squad was occupying and he was hit and instantly killed as a result of devastating small arms and mortar fire.

He was buried in the United States Military Cemetery at Margraten, Holland after a Mass had been read by a Catholic Chaplain. His chaplain also mentioned that he along with other Catholic men of his company attended Mass and received Holy Communion shortly before his death. He was an excellent soldier as is evidenced by the award of the Bronze Star Medal which he received on 27 February 1945, for meritorious service.

The Order of the Purple Heart was conferred upon him on the 22 august 1944, for a wound received in action against the enemy. The 10 Febuary 1945, he was further awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Purple Heart for an additional wound received at that time.

The caption of the third photo reads "T/Sgt. Lawrence J. Gettings, Ottumwa, Iowa, heats a can of rations and takes time out for a rest during the fighting southeast of Bastogne, Belgium. 320th Inf. Regt., 35th Div., S.E. of Bastogne, Belgium. 7 January 1945."