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Personal info

Full name
COURCHESNE, Joseph Morris
Date of birth
2 October 1923
Age
21
Place of birth
Springfield, Windsor County, Vermont
Hometown
Bellows Falls, Windham County, Vermont

Military service

Service number
31403312
Rank
Private First Class
Function
Medical Aidman
Unit
2nd Infantry Regiment,
5th Infantry Division,
Medical Detachment
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
14 March 1945
Place of death
In the vicinity of Treis Karden-Hatzenport, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
Plot Row Grave
H 4 43

Immediate family

Members
Alfred Courchesne (father)
Victoria Courchesne (mother)
Lucien F. Courchesne (brother)
Theresa Courchesne (sister)
Irene B. Courchesne (sister)
Robert Courchesne (brother)
Ann B. (Lawlor) Courchesne (wife)
Morris Courchesne (son)

More information

Pfc Joseph M. Courchesne worked in a foundry.

He enlisted in Rutland, Vermont on 22 November 1943.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously for his action on 25 December 1944. The citation cited: When five casualties were reported lying in an exposed position subjected to further enemy fire, pvt Courchesne, a medical transport driver, undertook the hazardous mission of evacuating his wounded comrades from their perilous position. Driving his vehicle to the area of the casualties, pvt Courchesne, despite the great danger, led a litter team over the exposed terrain to evacuate the wounded. Oblivious to the enemy fire, pvt Courchesne then carried the remaining casualty to the vehicle and evacuated the casualties to the battalion aid station.

Source of information: Leo Minne, www.abmc.gov, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1930 /1940 Census / Vermont Vital Records 1760-2008, Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, "A footsoldier for Patton" - Michael C. Bilder/James G. Bilder

Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery, Carla Mans, Bellows Falls Historical Society (Mary Narkiewicz)