U.S. Navy Lt. Justin Bergeron (1921-1944), a pilot who flew in excess of 35 missions while stationed at the South Pacific island of Bougainville before dying in a plane crash over New Hebrides Island on July 15, 1944. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as a posthumous Purple Heart.
EuniceToday- Mowata paid high price for freedom fight in World War II
Justin went into the Navy as an army pilot right after attending LSU.Died in the Pacific.Killed in WWII.
Lt. Justin Bergeron
Memorial Mass for Lt. J. Bergeron in Mowata tomorrow. Services at 9 a.m. for flier killed in Pacific Plane Crash.
Rev. Father Joseph LaFleur, pastor, announces that services will be held at the Mowata Catholic Church Thursday morning for Lt. Justin Bergeron USNR (United States Naval Reserve)son of Mr. & Mrs. Adaus Bergeron of the Iota section who has been reported killed in a plane crash on July 15 in the performance of his duty to his country according to a telegram received Saturday, July 22, from Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of Naval personnel, by the youth's parents.
Lt. Bergeron, a member of a well-known Acadia Parish family was very well known in Iota & Mowata. Born April 14, 1921, in Iota he attended school at the St. Francis Catholic Convent in Iota & graduated from Iota High School. He then attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture on June 1, 1942.
While attending LSU he was a member of the F.F.A., Newman Club, Delta Signa Phi, President of the Agriculture Fair Association, also of the Holy Name Society.
After joining the United Naval Reserve he began training on July 15, 1942 in New Orleans, La. He received his primary & basic training in Pensacola, Florida where he also received his naval wings and was commissioned an Ensign. From there he received his adbance training in Jacksonville, Florida. On July 15, 1943, one year after he had entered the service he came home to visit his family on a fifteen day leave.
When he returned from his leave he reported to Norfolk, Virginia for duty. He then proceeded to Rio Grande, New Jersey and to a naval base in Rhode Island. In the early part of December he received his orders to report to San Francisco, California for action with the Pacific Fleet Air Force. In route to California he flew his plane over Crowley, Iota, Frey, etc. and recognized each place. On March 6, 1944 he left San Francisco for the Southwest Pacific. He then entered combat with the enemy in the far-flung islands in the Southwest Pacific. He was killed on July 15, exactly on the same day he had entered the service two years before. He was the pilot of a Torpedo Bomber.
All those who knew Lt. Bergeron have words of praise for him. He had led a good Christian life and was an inspiration for the men serving under him. He was the right arm of his Chaplain and was instrumental to bringing to church many a boy in the service. His cheerfulness brought him many friends in this vicinity and in every place where he was stationed. He sacrificed his life for his country, and for his father & mother, whom he loved so much. On Mother's Day he wrote "Unfortunately, some of the son's won't return, but their mother's should be proud of them because they fought for the right to live and love their homes and love a mother and family as free as when they left them behind.
EuniceToday- Mowata paid high price for freedom fight in World War II
Justin went into the Navy as an army pilot right after attending LSU.Died in the Pacific.Killed in WWII.
Lt. Justin Bergeron
Memorial Mass for Lt. J. Bergeron in Mowata tomorrow. Services at 9 a.m. for flier killed in Pacific Plane Crash.
Rev. Father Joseph LaFleur, pastor, announces that services will be held at the Mowata Catholic Church Thursday morning for Lt. Justin Bergeron USNR (United States Naval Reserve)son of Mr. & Mrs. Adaus Bergeron of the Iota section who has been reported killed in a plane crash on July 15 in the performance of his duty to his country according to a telegram received Saturday, July 22, from Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of Naval personnel, by the youth's parents.
Lt. Bergeron, a member of a well-known Acadia Parish family was very well known in Iota & Mowata. Born April 14, 1921, in Iota he attended school at the St. Francis Catholic Convent in Iota & graduated from Iota High School. He then attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture on June 1, 1942.
While attending LSU he was a member of the F.F.A., Newman Club, Delta Signa Phi, President of the Agriculture Fair Association, also of the Holy Name Society.
After joining the United Naval Reserve he began training on July 15, 1942 in New Orleans, La. He received his primary & basic training in Pensacola, Florida where he also received his naval wings and was commissioned an Ensign. From there he received his adbance training in Jacksonville, Florida. On July 15, 1943, one year after he had entered the service he came home to visit his family on a fifteen day leave.
When he returned from his leave he reported to Norfolk, Virginia for duty. He then proceeded to Rio Grande, New Jersey and to a naval base in Rhode Island. In the early part of December he received his orders to report to San Francisco, California for action with the Pacific Fleet Air Force. In route to California he flew his plane over Crowley, Iota, Frey, etc. and recognized each place. On March 6, 1944 he left San Francisco for the Southwest Pacific. He then entered combat with the enemy in the far-flung islands in the Southwest Pacific. He was killed on July 15, exactly on the same day he had entered the service two years before. He was the pilot of a Torpedo Bomber.
All those who knew Lt. Bergeron have words of praise for him. He had led a good Christian life and was an inspiration for the men serving under him. He was the right arm of his Chaplain and was instrumental to bringing to church many a boy in the service. His cheerfulness brought him many friends in this vicinity and in every place where he was stationed. He sacrificed his life for his country, and for his father & mother, whom he loved so much. On Mother's Day he wrote "Unfortunately, some of the son's won't return, but their mother's should be proud of them because they fought for the right to live and love their homes and love a mother and family as free as when they left them behind.
Lieutenant Father Verbis Lafleur (He was ordained a priest in New Orleans, in 1938, and celebrated his first solemn high mass at his home parish of St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, on April 5, 1938. He was assigned to St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Abbeville, and there joined the Army Air Corps in 1941, before the U.S. entered World War II. In July of that year, he was assigned to the 19th Bombardment Unit, and was sent to the Philippines as their chaplain. He became a prisoner of war when his unit was captured by the Japanese, and was killed September 7, 1944, when the ship on which he and 750 prisoners were being transported, the Shinyo Maru, was torpedoed by an American submarine. Father Lafleur refused to leave the ship when the men had the chance to climb out, instead remaining behind to help the other men up the ladder. Those who made it to shore last saw him in waist-deep water, assisting others. His body was not recovered.
For his bravery in action, he won the Distinguished Service Cross and was later awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Then, On Oct. 17, 2017, he posthumously received a second Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart for his actions on board the Japanese prisoner of war ship that cost him his life but saved scores more.
A cause for canonization to sainthood for Father Lafleur was opened in May, 2012.
On Friday, September 7, 2007, the 63rd anniversary of his death, a monument erected to the memory of Rev. J. Verbis Lafleur was dedicated on the grounds of the St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, his home town.
For his bravery in action, he won the Distinguished Service Cross and was later awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Then, On Oct. 17, 2017, he posthumously received a second Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart for his actions on board the Japanese prisoner of war ship that cost him his life but saved scores more.
A cause for canonization to sainthood for Father Lafleur was opened in May, 2012.
On Friday, September 7, 2007, the 63rd anniversary of his death, a monument erected to the memory of Rev. J. Verbis Lafleur was dedicated on the grounds of the St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, his home town.
Paul Wesley Miller (Creole) (1925-1945)
Entering the Marines when he was 18, Paul Wesley Miller of Creole went through many Pacific battles. He even made it through the deadly Iwo Jima invasion safely. But as his 28th Regiment, 5th Marines Division raced across the island of Iwo Jima he was killed on Mar. 11, 1945. (Cameron Parish Pilot, 3/31/2011. A quote from the books "SW La. Veterans of WWII" by Nola Mae Ross.
Entering the Marines when he was 18, Paul Wesley Miller of Creole went through many Pacific battles. He even made it through the deadly Iwo Jima invasion safely. But as his 28th Regiment, 5th Marines Division raced across the island of Iwo Jima he was killed on Mar. 11, 1945. (Cameron Parish Pilot, 3/31/2011. A quote from the books "SW La. Veterans of WWII" by Nola Mae Ross.
Henry Ricard, TSgt US Army (1917-1944)
Killed in action while serving as Flight Engr. on a B-24. He was shot down on June 18, 1944 while delivering supplies to the French underground. He is buried in Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Saint-James, Normandy, France.
Henry Ricard and wife Ailine Richardson
Edmond Pierre Vige (1835-1863)
Death: 22/23 May 1863, Vickburg, Miss.
Marriage: Katy (living 1916)
Service: Pvt., Co I, 28th (Thomas') La. Inf. En. 15 April 1862, New Orleans, La. Present on all Rolls to Feb. 1863. On daily duty guarding the powder magazine, Vicksburg, Miss. Killed 22 or 23 May 1863, siege of Vicksburg, "having his head shot off with a shell".
Death: 22/23 May 1863, Vickburg, Miss.
Marriage: Katy (living 1916)
Service: Pvt., Co I, 28th (Thomas') La. Inf. En. 15 April 1862, New Orleans, La. Present on all Rolls to Feb. 1863. On daily duty guarding the powder magazine, Vicksburg, Miss. Killed 22 or 23 May 1863, siege of Vicksburg, "having his head shot off with a shell".
Joseph Ozincoutt Miller (1830-1863)
Some records support the fact that Joseph was in the Confederate Army. This may not be Joseph Ozincoutt Miller, however. The records state that "a" Joseph was wounded in the right leg and admitted to hospital at Port Hudson 6/22/1863. When paroled after siege, he died at Port Hudson on 7/18/1863.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
The following from: Post Hospital Ledger, Port Hudson 1862 - 1863, by Lawrence Hewitt, Arthur Bergeron, Jr.
"Joseph Miller, Pvt., Co. F, Miles Legion, 6/27/63, gunshot wound in the leg, amputation of right leg above knee."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
According to Minos D Miller in his statements on the Miller family dated in 1937 obtained by Edison R Mhire, stated "the last news of him was that he had been wounded and a leg had been amputated." This supports the Joseph Miller listed as wounded at Port Hudson. Minos D. Miller spelled the middle name "Ozincourt".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
"The Civil War Veterans of Old Imperial Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana" states:
Service: Pvt., Co. F, Miles' Legion, LA Inf. 27 June 1863, Port Hudson, LA hospital, gunshot wound in leg; amputation of the right leg above the knee.
Some records support the fact that Joseph was in the Confederate Army. This may not be Joseph Ozincoutt Miller, however. The records state that "a" Joseph was wounded in the right leg and admitted to hospital at Port Hudson 6/22/1863. When paroled after siege, he died at Port Hudson on 7/18/1863.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
The following from: Post Hospital Ledger, Port Hudson 1862 - 1863, by Lawrence Hewitt, Arthur Bergeron, Jr.
"Joseph Miller, Pvt., Co. F, Miles Legion, 6/27/63, gunshot wound in the leg, amputation of right leg above knee."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
According to Minos D Miller in his statements on the Miller family dated in 1937 obtained by Edison R Mhire, stated "the last news of him was that he had been wounded and a leg had been amputated." This supports the Joseph Miller listed as wounded at Port Hudson. Minos D. Miller spelled the middle name "Ozincourt".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
"The Civil War Veterans of Old Imperial Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana" states:
Service: Pvt., Co. F, Miles' Legion, LA Inf. 27 June 1863, Port Hudson, LA hospital, gunshot wound in leg; amputation of the right leg above the knee.
William Harrison McCall (1838-1864)
A Confederate soldier in Gen. Richard Taylor's army facing a Union invasion up the Red River, died of pneumonia somewhere near Mansfield, LA.
A Confederate soldier in Gen. Richard Taylor's army facing a Union invasion up the Red River, died of pneumonia somewhere near Mansfield, LA.
Isaac Bonsall (1824-1864
According to The Civil War Veterans of Old Imperial Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana:
Civil War Service: Pvt., Co. D, Crescent Regt., La. Inf.; Co. G, Cons. Crescent Regt., La. Inf. Enlisted/Enrolled 15 Dec. 1862, Camp Pratt, La. Roll for Jan. and Feb. 1863, "On Police Guard". Roll for May and June 1863 "Deserted April 18th, 1863 while in retreat from Bayou Teche". Roll for Jan and Feb. 1864, "Present". Died 8 April 1864 from wounds received in battle of Mansfield. Age 38. Hair, black. Eyes, hazel. Complexion, dark. Height, 5 ft. 7 in.".
According to The Civil War Veterans of Old Imperial Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana:
Civil War Service: Pvt., Co. D, Crescent Regt., La. Inf.; Co. G, Cons. Crescent Regt., La. Inf. Enlisted/Enrolled 15 Dec. 1862, Camp Pratt, La. Roll for Jan. and Feb. 1863, "On Police Guard". Roll for May and June 1863 "Deserted April 18th, 1863 while in retreat from Bayou Teche". Roll for Jan and Feb. 1864, "Present". Died 8 April 1864 from wounds received in battle of Mansfield. Age 38. Hair, black. Eyes, hazel. Complexion, dark. Height, 5 ft. 7 in.".
Norman Lee Dupre (1930-1966)
Listed in article "28 Men Are Listed as Viet Name Casualties" in Fort Worth-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, 01 Oct 1966, in "From Missing to Dead". He is husband of Helen A. Dupre, Daleville, Ala. The status change from missing to dead was also report in the Alabama Journal, Montgomery, on 30 Sept 1966.
Listed in article "28 Men Are Listed as Viet Name Casualties" in Fort Worth-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, 01 Oct 1966, in "From Missing to Dead". He is husband of Helen A. Dupre, Daleville, Ala. The status change from missing to dead was also report in the Alabama Journal, Montgomery, on 30 Sept 1966.
Andrus Floyd Duplechain (1949-1970)
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 6, 1970 at 5:00 p. m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Eunice for PFC Andrus E. Duplechain. Burial was in the Mt. CVary cemetery with Ardoins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
PFC Andrus was reported killed in action In Vietman on September 28, 1970, when the combat operation he was on encountered a hostile force.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Duplechain, of Eunice; 2 brothers, Herbert (Black) Duplechain, of Mamou and Vernon Duplechain, of Eunice; and 1 sister, Mrs, Willius Reed of Basile; and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Francois Duplechain, of Eunice. (Basile Weekly, Basile, LA, 07 Oct 1970)
Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 6, 1970 at 5:00 p. m. in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Eunice for PFC Andrus E. Duplechain. Burial was in the Mt. CVary cemetery with Ardoins Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
PFC Andrus was reported killed in action In Vietman on September 28, 1970, when the combat operation he was on encountered a hostile force.
He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Duplechain, of Eunice; 2 brothers, Herbert (Black) Duplechain, of Mamou and Vernon Duplechain, of Eunice; and 1 sister, Mrs, Willius Reed of Basile; and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Francois Duplechain, of Eunice. (Basile Weekly, Basile, LA, 07 Oct 1970)
RSS Feed