1Lt Andre Laus was Killed in Action on August 29, 1944 in Briançon, France, he was 29 years old and was awarded the Silver Star & Distinguished Service Cross…

Born in Paris, France to Abdon and Charlotte Laus on November 7, 1914 Andre Nicole Laus had one brother.
The family emigrated to the USA around 1920 and settled in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

Andre graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1937 with a degree in chemistry and worked as a chemist in Boston, Massachusetts.
He was married to Aline Perrin and they had a son named Jacques who was born in November 1942.

Andre enlisted in the Army and was commissioned as an officer in the Chemical Warfare Service with the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion.
During Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on July 10, 1943.

During Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, Andre was serving with C Company, 83rd Chemical Battalion.
He was Killed in Action on August 29, 1944 and was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, his citation reads:

“For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company C, 83d Chemical Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 29 August 1944 near Briançon, France. When his company's defensive position was attacked by a superior enemy force, Lieutenant Laus climbed through intense machine gun fire to an exposed position from which he directed effective mortar fire on the enemy troops, temporarily halting their advance. Taking advantage of this situation, Lieutenant Laus obtained a light machine gun and crawled back to his observation post where, despite intense fire, raking machine gun and mortar fire, he succeeded in destroying twenty of the hostile force. When enemy fire finally hit his ammunition belt causing a jam in the gun, Lieutenant Laus, displaying distinguished bravery, seized a rifle and inflicted substantial casualties among the advancing enemy. Ordered by the forces commander to withdraw along a road, which was under heavy machine gun fire, Lieutenant Laus volunteered to make the initial advance to determine the safety of the road. After advancing about two hundred yards he was killed by enemy machine gun fire. Lieutenant Laus' heroic sacrifice and courageous leadership served as a lasting impression to his men and reflects the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States."

1Lt Andre Laus is buried at the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan, France - Plot C Row 12 Grave 3.

In 1946 his widow Aline traveled to France with their son Jacques to see where Andre fell.