Edward Theodore Lauer was born April 2, 1895 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended St. Joseph's school from 1901-1909, and then entered high school at Marquette Academy. Leaving after one year, he enrolled in a certification program at Badger State Business College. After holding several clerical positions he was hired at Harley Davidson Motor Company in 1912, where he worked as a timekeeper and clerk. He enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard in June 1917, becoming a member of the medical detachment of the 1st Wisconsin Field Artillery. After training at Camp Douglas, Wisconsin and Camp MacArthur, Texas Lauer was transferred to Sanitary Squad #8 and prepared to go to Europe. On January 24, 1918 he disembarked from Hoboken, New Jersey on board the H.M.S. Tuscania. In the evening of February 5, a German U-boat hit the Tuscania with two torpedoes and sank it. While Lauer and a majority of the soldiers on board were rescued and survived, over 250 drowned just off the coast of Ireland. After recuperating and reorganizing in Great Britain, the units moved on to France. There, Lauer was assigned as a sanitary inspector to the 3rd Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment.
Private Lauer was present at the Aisne-Marne and the Oise-Aisne offensives during the war. After the fighting ceased, he stayed with his unit in Germany as part of the occupation force. When his unit was scheduled to return to the U.S., Lauer instead obtained an honorable discharge from the Army and joined the Knights of Columbus Overseas Service as a Welfare Secretary. For roughly three months Lauer was stationed at the American Embarkation Center in Le Mans, France where he supervised entertainment for departing troops. Lauer returned to Milwaukee in September 1919.
Soon after returning home, Lauer married Margaret Wilhelms in October 1921 and joined his father's building business, later taking it over when his father retired. He remained involved in construction until the beginning of World War II.
When the 32nd Division was called into federal service in 1940, Lauer applied for a commission but was denied. In 1942 he began working for Kroening Engineering Company, which was building a technical training command radio school (Truax Field) in Madison, WI. Later that same year he transferred to the Badger Ordnance Works plant in Baraboo, WI. From March 1943 through June 1944 Lauer was an administrative assistant and historical officer at the Milwaukee Ordnance Plant, which produced 50 cal armor piercing ammunition. Afterwards, he transferred to the Corps of Engineering (Milwaukee District) where he specialized in training. Once the war ended and wartime industries began reducing their work forces, Lauer worked briefly for the Civilian Production Administration before joining the Federal Housing Authority in 1948, where he worked until retiring in 1965.
Lauer was actively involved in veterans organizations throughout his life. He joined the American Legion upon returning to the U.S. and maintained his membership for the rest of his life. He served for many years as the historian of the 32nd Division Veterans Association. In that capacity he wrote many unit histories and served as a general store of knowledge for all things relating to the Division. He served a term as president of the Red Arrow Club of Milwaukee, and later served several terms as secretary and historian. He was very involved in the dedication of State Highway 32 as the Red Arrow 32nd Division Memorial Highway. While age caused him to “retire” from his duties in most organizations, Lauer served as historian of the National Tuscania Survivors Association into the late 1970's. Lauer wrote histories of all the 32nd Division units that were aboard the Tuscania, wrote an annual newsletter for members across the country, and carried on correspondence with members and their families through the 1980's.
Edward Lauer passed away in April 1982 at the age of 87.
