Navy Federal Credit Union

Lawrence Cousins attended grade school in Thayer, Missouri, and then graduated from high school in Streeter, Illinois. He attended Culver-Stockton Christian Church College in Canton, Missouri, and received his master’s degree from Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1933. He was ordained a minister in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, and taught humanities for six years in Edwards, Mississippi. He and his wife moved to Walla Walla, Washington in 1940, and the following year he became associate pastor of the Central Christian Church there. During World War II he left his parish to be commissioned a U.S. Army chaplain, serving in Europe where he earned a Silver Star and later retired as a U.S. Army major. After the war he returned to Walla Walla and served as the U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Center’s chaplain from 1946 to his retirement in 1970. He continued in a limited ministry in retirement, conducting marriages and funerals, counseling, and participating in many community services.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    314th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    79th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    July 7, 1944

    Headquarters, 79th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 56 (September 15, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) Lawrence Edgar Cousins (ASN: 0-492680), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 2d Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 7 July 1944 in France. When casualties were unusually heavy and the medical aid men were taxed severely, Chaplain Cousins voluntarily assisted in the evacuation of the wounded under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire. He repeatedly carried capacity loads in his quarter-ton vehicle over a sunken road which was under intense enemy fire. During this period Chaplain Cousins was wounded in his right hand from a shell fragment. Despite his wound and the personal danger involved Chaplain Cousins continued at his self-appointed task until all the wounded were removed. For his dauntless courage and magnificent display of gallantry in action, he reflects highest credit both upon himself and the military forces of the United States.