The Nome Nugget

COL. CASTNER
AWARDED NAVY
MERIT HONORS

HEADQUARTERS, ALASKA DEPARTMENT - Col. Lawrence V. Castner of Oakland, Calif., received a Navy award of the Legion of Merit recently for performance of outstanding service as deputy chief of staff of a joint Army-Navy staff during the Aleutian operation and as military advisor to the commander of the North Pacific Force during the planning phase of the Kiska operation.

Presentation of the award, which was accompanied by a citation from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the Pacific Fleet, was made by Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr., Alaska Department commander, on whose staff Colonel Castner formerly served as intelligence officer. The presentation, attended by high Alaskan Department officers, was followed by a dinner in Colonel Castner's honor.

"Colonel Castner was of great assistance in his duties both as to the varied and necessary military information which he supplied, and as to his expert knowledge of Aleutian terrain and weather," the citation from Admiral Nimitz said.

"He exhibited outstanding characteristics of intelligence, diplomacy, tact, military knowledge and planning ability. He was a constant source of advice and counsel. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States military and naval services."

Organizer of the Alaska Scout Combat Intelligence platoon, Colonel Castner has also been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for the part he played in clearing the Japanese from the Aleutians.