EARL A. LAPIDUS, 1LT, USA
Earl Lapidus '32
Lucky Bag
From the 1932 Lucky Bag:
EARL ALVIN LAPIDUS
Omaha, Nebraska
"Al" "Lapie"
A scholar but not a student. After getting a Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Beta Phi average at the University of Nebraska, this lad joined our ranks late in July, Plebe summer. Staying in the awkward squad only one day, he was the company guide for the rest of the summer. The Academic Departments never made him dream of hobgoblins, but he is one of the advocates of the theory that all to be learned is not taught in books. His is an understanding nature combined with a keen judgment of human character. His "Have you got anything to read?" especially during exam week, has caused many a Bowditch to burst its bindings on a closed door.
Lapie was one of the fighting members of the sub-squad for three years, and to prove that his athletic abilities were not one-sided, he combined with Scherini to win the doubles handball championship of the Academy.
Summary: A real pal. Lots of luck, Al.
Soccer; Lacrosse; Handball; 2 P. O.
EARL ALVIN LAPIDUS
Omaha, Nebraska
"Al" "Lapie"
A scholar but not a student. After getting a Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Beta Phi average at the University of Nebraska, this lad joined our ranks late in July, Plebe summer. Staying in the awkward squad only one day, he was the company guide for the rest of the summer. The Academic Departments never made him dream of hobgoblins, but he is one of the advocates of the theory that all to be learned is not taught in books. His is an understanding nature combined with a keen judgment of human character. His "Have you got anything to read?" especially during exam week, has caused many a Bowditch to burst its bindings on a closed door.
Lapie was one of the fighting members of the sub-squad for three years, and to prove that his athletic abilities were not one-sided, he combined with Scherini to win the doubles handball championship of the Academy.
Summary: A real pal. Lots of luck, Al.
Soccer; Lacrosse; Handball; 2 P. O.
Loss
From the March 1997 issue of Shipmate:
Here's a story of hard luck with real perseverance: Earl Lapidus had to resign on graduation. So he joined the Naval Reserve. (They let me in, too—the Reserve doctors were lenient.) When his division was called up, he was once more rejected. Undaunted, he joined the Army and became a captain. His duty took him to SOUWESPAC; he ended up in Leyte, contracted malaria and died.
Earl was a member of the 562d Engineer Boat Maintenance Battalion, which is mentioned throughout this history.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Earl graduated from Central High School in January, 1928. Student Control (4, 3); Reyna Spanish Club (4 3, 2); Speakers’ Bureau (4, 3, 2); Natural Science Club (4, 3, 2); Regiment, Second Lieutenant (4); Crack Platoon (4, 3, 2); O-Book Staff (3, 2); Football Reserves (3); The Weekly Register (2); Mathematics Society (1). “Bashfullness is the scarlet hue of modesty.”
At the University of Nebraska, Earl and his brother Lester were both members of Zeta Beta Tau.
Earl was on the USS Wyoming that assisted the Nautilus during the summer 1931 cruise.
From Find A Grave:
Earl Lapidus Dead
First Lieut. Earl Lapidus, 35, a former Omahan, died in the South Pacific April 8, the War Department has notified his mother, Mrs. Harry Lapidus of Los Angeles, Cal.A graduate of Annapolis, he had received a medical discharge from the Navy, and had been employed as the secretary and general manager of the Omaha Fixture and Supply Company before entering the Army in May 1942. He had been overseas with the Engineer Corps two years.
Besides his mother, he is survived by a brother, S. Sgt. Lester, USA, and a sister, Mrs. Estelle Stalmaster of Los Angeles, Cal.
Earl was serving in the Pentagon in April, 1943.
He is buried in Nebraska.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
Bronze Star
No citation found for the Bronze Star mentioned here; the period of action cited was 23 November 1944 - 7 April 1945 near Leyte, Philippines.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
