Laurence S. Weiss

Laurence S. Weiss (c. 1919 – December 27, 2003) was a Hungarian-born American politician who served in the New Jersey Senate from 1978 to 1992, where he represented the 19th Legislative District, which covers portions of Middlesex County.

Weiss settled in Jersey City, New Jersey and then Carteret after his family emigrated from Hungary to the United States when he was three years old, joining grandparents who had moved there earlier. He attended the Carteret public schools, graduating from Carteret High School, and spent a year at Middlesex County College. He briefly operated a gas station in Newark, before enlisting in the United States Army during World War II, attending Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia where he earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant.

In 1943, Weiss was part of the 94th Infantry Division and was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations, serving in New Caledonia and New Guinea. There he was named as a platoon leader for the 24th Infantry Division, and was ultimately promoted to Captain and Company Commander. He saw action in the New Guinea campaign, in the Philippine Islands and in the earliest landings in Japan following V-J Day. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, serving until 1952 as a major with the Army's Inspector General. During his service he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart, in addition to other citations.