Walter Ernst Lauer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 29, 1893 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Died | October 13, 1966 (aged 73) Monterey, California, United States |
| Buried | Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California, United States |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1946 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Service number | 0-7486 |
| Unit |  Infantry Branch |
| Commands held | 99th Infantry Division 80th Infantry Division 66th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star |
Major General Walter E. Lauer (29 June 1893 – 13 October 1966)[1] was a senior United States Army officer who fought in both World War I and World War II. During World War II he commanded the 99th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge. The green troops of the 99th, along with the battle-tested 2nd Infantry Division, held a key sector controlling access to Spa and Liege and large repositories of ammunition, fuel, and supplies. Despite being outnumbered by German forces at least five to one, during the Battle of Elsenborn Ridge they did not yield. It was the only sector of the American front lines during the German offensive where the Germans failed to advance.[2][3]
- ^ Lauer, Walter Ernest
- ^ Zaloga 2003, p. 33.
- ^ Zaloga, Steven (January 15, 2003), Battle of the Bulge 1944 (1): St Vith and the Northern Shoulder (Campaign), Howard Gerrard (Illustrator), Osprey Publishing, p. 33, ISBN 978-1-84176-560-0