Laurence Joseph Welsh, 86, of near Linwood, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at Carroll Hospital Center, after an extended illness.
Born Nov. 11, 1918, in St. Nazaire, France, he was the son of the late Lawrence Patrick Welsh and Josephine LePederel Welsh Beilstein. He was the husband of Kathryn Hoy Welsh.
He was educated in Savannah, Ga., Quincy, Mass. and France. He entered the Army in January 1941 and volunteered for the Paratroops in April 1942, reporting to Fort Benning, Ga. for jump school. After graduating in May 1942, he was assigned to F Company 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment which was activated into the 101st Airborne Division on Aug. 16, 1942, making him an original member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was an Operation Sergeant when the 502nd was sent to England. He jumped onto Utah Beach, Normandy France in the early morning hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was wounded but continued to fight through France. He jumped again on "Market Garden" at Best Holland on Sept. 17, 1944, the Invasion of Holland. Badly
wounded, he was eventually evacuated and in April 1945 was medically discharged. His awards included two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, two Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guarre, Belgium Fourragere, and Netherlands Orange Lanyard, among others. In recent years, he was awarded the Certificate of Recognition of D-Day Veterans in appreciation of the Liberation of France by the French Government. Also by order of the Secretary of the Army he became a Distinguished member of the reactivated 101st, 502nd at ceremonies conducted at Fort Campbell, Ky.
He retired as a real estate and insurance broker and spent time with his quarter horses. He was a former member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Carroll County Western Circuit.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Old Glory Chapter 22; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 555; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 447, all of Westminster; the 101st Airborne Division Association of Fort Campbell, Ky.; Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe Chapter 101st Airborne Division, New York and New Jersey; and the National Capital Area Chapter 101st, Washington, D.C. He was a director of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Dug Hill, Manchester and a member of St. John Catholic Church, Westminster.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are daughters and sons-in-law Judy and Guy Miller of Westminster and Diane and Michael Schaeffer of near Linwood; grandchildren and their spouses Kristina and Jeffrey Foster of Newark, MD, Laura and Edward Long of near Union Bridge, Michael and Deborah Schaeffer and Kathy Fritz, all of Union Bridge; great-grandchildren Matthew Stefanski, Dylan and Aaron Rutter, Tristan & Dalton Long, Gary Fritz, Amber & James Kevin Groves, and Michael Schaeffer; and great-great-grandson Ryan.
A funeral service with full military honors was held January 19, 2005 at Fletcher Funeral Home, 254 E. Main St., Westminster with the Rev. Leo Patalinghug, officiating. Interment was in Westminster Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Jeff Foster, Matthew Stefanski, Ed Long, Guy Miller, Dylan Rutter and Michael Schaeffer.
AIRBORNE AT LAST
My helmet now a halo
wings replace my chute,
To fly amongst the eagles,
no soldier would dispute.
No aircraft is needed,
to take me to the sky.
Your prayers from below,
have lifted me so high.
My spirit is my engine,
no need to refuel.
No runway is required,
a rainbow edge will do.
No need for maps or compasses,
my angles are my guide.
Their strength and love have gifted me
to soar the sky with pride.
The heavens here are endless,
my soul now free to roan.
There is no need to cry, my friends,
this paratrooper has found his home.
Dad -
Your last battle has been fought, and you were a "Tough Eagle" to the very end. Rest in peace. Love always, your very proud daughter,
Judy
Born Nov. 11, 1918, in St. Nazaire, France, he was the son of the late Lawrence Patrick Welsh and Josephine LePederel Welsh Beilstein. He was the husband of Kathryn Hoy Welsh.
He was educated in Savannah, Ga., Quincy, Mass. and France. He entered the Army in January 1941 and volunteered for the Paratroops in April 1942, reporting to Fort Benning, Ga. for jump school. After graduating in May 1942, he was assigned to F Company 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment which was activated into the 101st Airborne Division on Aug. 16, 1942, making him an original member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was an Operation Sergeant when the 502nd was sent to England. He jumped onto Utah Beach, Normandy France in the early morning hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was wounded but continued to fight through France. He jumped again on "Market Garden" at Best Holland on Sept. 17, 1944, the Invasion of Holland. Badly
wounded, he was eventually evacuated and in April 1945 was medically discharged. His awards included two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, two Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guarre, Belgium Fourragere, and Netherlands Orange Lanyard, among others. In recent years, he was awarded the Certificate of Recognition of D-Day Veterans in appreciation of the Liberation of France by the French Government. Also by order of the Secretary of the Army he became a Distinguished member of the reactivated 101st, 502nd at ceremonies conducted at Fort Campbell, Ky.
He retired as a real estate and insurance broker and spent time with his quarter horses. He was a former member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Carroll County Western Circuit.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Old Glory Chapter 22; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 555; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 447, all of Westminster; the 101st Airborne Division Association of Fort Campbell, Ky.; Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe Chapter 101st Airborne Division, New York and New Jersey; and the National Capital Area Chapter 101st, Washington, D.C. He was a director of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Dug Hill, Manchester and a member of St. John Catholic Church, Westminster.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are daughters and sons-in-law Judy and Guy Miller of Westminster and Diane and Michael Schaeffer of near Linwood; grandchildren and their spouses Kristina and Jeffrey Foster of Newark, MD, Laura and Edward Long of near Union Bridge, Michael and Deborah Schaeffer and Kathy Fritz, all of Union Bridge; great-grandchildren Matthew Stefanski, Dylan and Aaron Rutter, Tristan & Dalton Long, Gary Fritz, Amber & James Kevin Groves, and Michael Schaeffer; and great-great-grandson Ryan.
A funeral service with full military honors was held January 19, 2005 at Fletcher Funeral Home, 254 E. Main St., Westminster with the Rev. Leo Patalinghug, officiating. Interment was in Westminster Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Jeff Foster, Matthew Stefanski, Ed Long, Guy Miller, Dylan Rutter and Michael Schaeffer.
AIRBORNE AT LAST
My helmet now a halo
wings replace my chute,
To fly amongst the eagles,
no soldier would dispute.
No aircraft is needed,
to take me to the sky.
Your prayers from below,
have lifted me so high.
My spirit is my engine,
no need to refuel.
No runway is required,
a rainbow edge will do.
No need for maps or compasses,
my angles are my guide.
Their strength and love have gifted me
to soar the sky with pride.
The heavens here are endless,
my soul now free to roan.
There is no need to cry, my friends,
this paratrooper has found his home.
Dad -
Your last battle has been fought, and you were a "Tough Eagle" to the very end. Rest in peace. Love always, your very proud daughter,
Judy
Laurence Joseph Welsh, 86, of near Linwood, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at Carroll Hospital Center, after an extended illness.
Born Nov. 11, 1918, in St. Nazaire, France, he was the son of the late Lawrence Patrick Welsh and Josephine LePederel Welsh Beilstein. He was the husband of Kathryn Hoy Welsh.
He was educated in Savannah, Ga., Quincy, Mass. and France. He entered the Army in January 1941 and volunteered for the Paratroops in April 1942, reporting to Fort Benning, Ga. for jump school. After graduating in May 1942, he was assigned to F Company 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment which was activated into the 101st Airborne Division on Aug. 16, 1942, making him an original member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was an Operation Sergeant when the 502nd was sent to England. He jumped onto Utah Beach, Normandy France in the early morning hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was wounded but continued to fight through France. He jumped again on "Market Garden" at Best Holland on Sept. 17, 1944, the Invasion of Holland. Badly
wounded, he was eventually evacuated and in April 1945 was medically discharged. His awards included two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, two Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guarre, Belgium Fourragere, and Netherlands Orange Lanyard, among others. In recent years, he was awarded the Certificate of Recognition of D-Day Veterans in appreciation of the Liberation of France by the French Government. Also by order of the Secretary of the Army he became a Distinguished member of the reactivated 101st, 502nd at ceremonies conducted at Fort Campbell, Ky.
He retired as a real estate and insurance broker and spent time with his quarter horses. He was a former member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Carroll County Western Circuit.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Old Glory Chapter 22; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 555; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 447, all of Westminster; the 101st Airborne Division Association of Fort Campbell, Ky.; Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe Chapter 101st Airborne Division, New York and New Jersey; and the National Capital Area Chapter 101st, Washington, D.C. He was a director of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Dug Hill, Manchester and a member of St. John Catholic Church, Westminster.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are daughters and sons-in-law Judy and Guy Miller of Westminster and Diane and Michael Schaeffer of near Linwood; grandchildren and their spouses Kristina and Jeffrey Foster of Newark, MD, Laura and Edward Long of near Union Bridge, Michael and Deborah Schaeffer and Kathy Fritz, all of Union Bridge; great-grandchildren Matthew Stefanski, Dylan and Aaron Rutter, Tristan & Dalton Long, Gary Fritz, Amber & James Kevin Groves, and Michael Schaeffer; and great-great-grandson Ryan.
A funeral service with full military honors was held January 19, 2005 at Fletcher Funeral Home, 254 E. Main St., Westminster with the Rev. Leo Patalinghug, officiating. Interment was in Westminster Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Jeff Foster, Matthew Stefanski, Ed Long, Guy Miller, Dylan Rutter and Michael Schaeffer.
AIRBORNE AT LAST
My helmet now a halo
wings replace my chute,
To fly amongst the eagles,
no soldier would dispute.
No aircraft is needed,
to take me to the sky.
Your prayers from below,
have lifted me so high.
My spirit is my engine,
no need to refuel.
No runway is required,
a rainbow edge will do.
No need for maps or compasses,
my angles are my guide.
Their strength and love have gifted me
to soar the sky with pride.
The heavens here are endless,
my soul now free to roan.
There is no need to cry, my friends,
this paratrooper has found his home.
Dad -
Your last battle has been fought, and you were a "Tough Eagle" to the very end. Rest in peace. Love always, your very proud daughter,
Judy
Born Nov. 11, 1918, in St. Nazaire, France, he was the son of the late Lawrence Patrick Welsh and Josephine LePederel Welsh Beilstein. He was the husband of Kathryn Hoy Welsh.
He was educated in Savannah, Ga., Quincy, Mass. and France. He entered the Army in January 1941 and volunteered for the Paratroops in April 1942, reporting to Fort Benning, Ga. for jump school. After graduating in May 1942, he was assigned to F Company 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment which was activated into the 101st Airborne Division on Aug. 16, 1942, making him an original member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was an Operation Sergeant when the 502nd was sent to England. He jumped onto Utah Beach, Normandy France in the early morning hours of D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was wounded but continued to fight through France. He jumped again on "Market Garden" at Best Holland on Sept. 17, 1944, the Invasion of Holland. Badly
wounded, he was eventually evacuated and in April 1945 was medically discharged. His awards included two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, two Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guarre, Belgium Fourragere, and Netherlands Orange Lanyard, among others. In recent years, he was awarded the Certificate of Recognition of D-Day Veterans in appreciation of the Liberation of France by the French Government. Also by order of the Secretary of the Army he became a Distinguished member of the reactivated 101st, 502nd at ceremonies conducted at Fort Campbell, Ky.
He retired as a real estate and insurance broker and spent time with his quarter horses. He was a former member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Carroll County Western Circuit.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Old Glory Chapter 22; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 555; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapter 447, all of Westminster; the 101st Airborne Division Association of Fort Campbell, Ky.; Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe Chapter 101st Airborne Division, New York and New Jersey; and the National Capital Area Chapter 101st, Washington, D.C. He was a director of the Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Dug Hill, Manchester and a member of St. John Catholic Church, Westminster.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are daughters and sons-in-law Judy and Guy Miller of Westminster and Diane and Michael Schaeffer of near Linwood; grandchildren and their spouses Kristina and Jeffrey Foster of Newark, MD, Laura and Edward Long of near Union Bridge, Michael and Deborah Schaeffer and Kathy Fritz, all of Union Bridge; great-grandchildren Matthew Stefanski, Dylan and Aaron Rutter, Tristan & Dalton Long, Gary Fritz, Amber & James Kevin Groves, and Michael Schaeffer; and great-great-grandson Ryan.
A funeral service with full military honors was held January 19, 2005 at Fletcher Funeral Home, 254 E. Main St., Westminster with the Rev. Leo Patalinghug, officiating. Interment was in Westminster Cemetery. Pall bearers were: Jeff Foster, Matthew Stefanski, Ed Long, Guy Miller, Dylan Rutter and Michael Schaeffer.
AIRBORNE AT LAST
My helmet now a halo
wings replace my chute,
To fly amongst the eagles,
no soldier would dispute.
No aircraft is needed,
to take me to the sky.
Your prayers from below,
have lifted me so high.
My spirit is my engine,
no need to refuel.
No runway is required,
a rainbow edge will do.
No need for maps or compasses,
my angles are my guide.
Their strength and love have gifted me
to soar the sky with pride.
The heavens here are endless,
my soul now free to roan.
There is no need to cry, my friends,
this paratrooper has found his home.
Dad -
Your last battle has been fought, and you were a "Tough Eagle" to the very end. Rest in peace. Love always, your very proud daughter,
Judy
Gravesite Details
Shares headstone with beloved wife Kathryn in Welsh Family Plot
Family Members
Half Siblings
