Lawrence H. Bater
Private First Class, U.S. Army

In August 1950, Private First Class Lawrence H. Bater was serving with Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 11 August, PFC Bater's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea. PFC Bater was a member of a motor patrol that was ambushed by a strong enemy force from well-concealed positions. The intense, accurate fire on the patrol forced it to withdraw and PFC Bater voluntarily remained behind to cover the withdrawal. Under enemy fire from three sides, he remained in place and continued to resist the charging enemy, inflicting heavy casualties on them with his deadly accurate rifle fire, until he was killed. His extraordinary heroic and selfless action resulted in the successful withdrawal of his comrades and earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Lawrence H. Bater (ASN: RA-12349842), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private First Class Bater distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Yongsan, Korea, on 11 August 1950. Private First Class Bater was a member of a motor patrol that was suddenly ambushed by a strong and determined enemy force. From well-concealed positions, the hostile troops directed intense and accurate fire on the patrol, forcing it to withdraw. Private Bater, completely disregarding his personal safety, voluntarily remained behind to cover the withdrawal of the patrol. Under withering enemy fire from three sides, he steadfastly remained in place, fearlessly engaging the enemy with his rifle. Until killed by the intense enemy fire, he defiantly resisted the fanatically charging enemy, inflicting heavy casualties on them with his deadly accurate fire. His heroic and selfless action resulted in the successful withdrawal of his comrades. Three days later, when his remains were recovered, he was found in the position he had held, the area around him littered with enemy dead.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 649 (August 18, 1951)

Burial

Private First Class Lawrence H. Bater is buried at Saint Matthews Cemetery in West Seneca, Erie County, NY.