By Deborah Larsen
Lawrence Adelbert Craven
Lawrence Adelbert Craven was born in Armada, Michigan, on March 29, 1917, the son of Alfred and Grace Sumner Craven. Lawrence grew up in Avon Township and attended Rochester High School, graduating in the class of 1936. Before the war, he worked for Pontiac Motors.
In April 1941, Lawrence enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 107th Medical Battalion, 32nd Infantry Division. In early 1942, the division was sent to the South Pacific, where it participated in the New Guinea campaign. Lawrence was wounded in action in January 1944 and was ultimately awarded the Bronze Star medal for meritorious achievement in New Guinea and the Philippines from December 1943 to May 1945. Lawrence was released from military service in August 1945.
After the war, Lawrence married, started a family, and returned to his career at Pontiac Motors, retiring in 1974.
Lawrence Adelbert Craven died at age 78 on June 4, 1995, and was laid to rest at Mount Avon Cemetery.