Lawrence Frank Blazina was born on July 14, 1922, in North Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Lovro "Lawrence" Blazina and Amelia "Molly" Blazina. He completed three years of high school before working as a metalworker for the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company in Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania. He entered service in the U.S. Army on December 1, 1942. He served in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, as a Sergeant during World War II.

Sgt Blazina was Killed in Action on September 17, 1944, during a battle for Heumen Lock Bridge in the Netherlands. He is now buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands.

Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Lawrence F. Blazina (ASN: 33403904), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in Holland, on 17 September 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Sources of information: www.findagrave.com, weremember.abmc.gov, valor.militarytimes.com, www.specialforcesroh.com