Lorenzo D. Gasser

Continued career In February 1913, Gasser was assigned to temporary Quartermaster duty with U.S. forces in Galveston, Texas. In October 1917, he was assigned as assistant chief of staff for the 30th Division during its organization and training at Camp Sevier, South Carolina.

After returning to the United States, Gasser served on the War Department General Staff until July 1920, when he was assigned as a student at the Army War College. After graduating in June 1921, he was assigned as secretary of the War Department General Staff.

Later career Army and Corps area Commanders meet with Secretary of War and Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C., Dec. 1, 1939. Gasser is first on the left. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall is seated at the head of the table. In June 1931, Gasser was assigned to command the 31st Infantry Regiment and the Post of Manila in the Philippines. In February 1932, Gasser led the 31st Infantry to China, where it took part in the protection of U.S. government and business interests during the American response to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. In July, the 31st Infantry resumed duty in Manila. In February 1934, Gasser returned to the United States and was assigned as chief of staff of the Fourth Corps Area at Fort McPherson, Georgia.

Gasser was promoted to brigadier general in June 1936 and in September he was assigned to command the 16th Infantry Brigade, a unit of the 8th Infantry Division, at Fort Meade, Maryland. In July 1939, George C. Marshall, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army, was promoted to Chief of Staff of the United States Army. When Marshall requested that Gasser serve as his deputy, Gasser protested that he was too old and would retire in less than a year. Marshall countered that Gasser's experience and institutional knowledge would be invaluable to Marshall as Marshall began his new duties, so Gasser consented. until May 1940, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 64 and was succeeded by William Bryden. At his retirement, he received a second award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, which was presented by Secretary of War Harry Woodring. In May 1941, Gasser was recalled to active duty and assigned as the War Department representative at the Office of Civilian Defense, a wartime agency created to coordinate federal activities including nighttime blackouts and air raid warnings intended to protect civilians and wartime industries in the event of an invasion or emergency.

In early 1942, Gasser was promoted to major general and assigned as OCD’s assistant director in charge of civilian protection. In July 1942, Gasser was one of the members of the military commission that tried and convicted the participants of Operation Pastorius. Pastorius was a German effort to land covert operatives in the United States for the purpose of sabotaging the American war effort. In February 1943, theater commander Dwight Eisenhower requested that Marshall assign a general officer to serve as Eisenhower's personal representative at the front during the Tunisian campaign. Gasser was among those Eisenhower suggested, was immediately available, Eisenhower concurred. In May 1943, Gasser received the honorary degree of Doctor of Military Science (DScMil) from Pennsylvania Military College. In late 1944 and early 1945, Gasser traveled to Europe to conduct manpower reviews of U.S. Army bases, and he returned to the U.S. in March. In September 1945, Gasser received the Legion of Merit to recognize his work with the Office of Civilian Defense and a third award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to commend his service with the manpower board, both of which were presented by Marshall. He retired for the second time in December 1945.

Death and burial

In retirement, Gasser was a resident of the Kennedy–Warren Apartment Building in Washington, D.C. An avid golfer, Gasser belonged to the Army and Navy Club, and Burning Tree Club, and he frequently played with Eisenhower and other senior army leaders. In August 1948, he donated his papers and collection of military memorabilia to the Seneca County Museum in Tiffin. In October 1946, 1948, and 1952 Gasser was one of the speakers at reunions of the company he commanded during the Spanish–American War.

Gasser died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington on October 29, 1955. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Distinguished Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters Legion of Merit Spanish War Service Medal Philippine Campaign Medal Cuban Pacification Medal Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Legion of Honor (France)

Distinguished Service Medal citations The citations for Gasser's awards of the Distinguished Service Medal included:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major (Infantry) Lorenzo Dow Gasser (ASN: 0-1018), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Chief of Motor Transportation Section, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, American Expeditionary Forces, Major Gasser showed unusual ability, tireless energy, and a comprehensive grasp of details in preparing plans for the organization and operation of a general headquarters reserve of motor transportation. Later, As Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, at Advance General Headquarters at Treves, Germany, in coordinating the plans for the reception and disposition of enemy war materials, he successfully handled a problem requiring great tack and high professional attainments, thereby rendering services of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces."

Service: Army Rank: Major Division: American Expeditionary Forces General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 43 (1922)

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Lorenzo Dow Gasser (ASN: 0-1018), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, during a grave emergency. By his leadership and executive ability while Acting Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army of the United States (1939 - 1940), Brigadier General Gasser has made an important contribution to the National Defense. Denied by force of circumstances the increased rank appropriate to his high position, the vigor and efficiency with which he has carried out the exacting cuties of his office afford a fine example of the highest soldier qualities."

Service: Army Rank: Brigadier General Division: War Department General Staff General Orders: American Decorations, Supplement 4 (1940)

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Lorenzo Dow Gasser (ASN: 0-1018), United States Army for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. As president of the War Department Manpower Board from March, 1943 to September, 1945 he initiated measures which ensured the most effective and economical use of manpower, both military and civilian, under jurisdiction of the War Department."

Service: Army Rank: Major General Division: War Department General Staff General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 80 (1945)