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name
BISSAILLON, Edmond Alfred - Date of
birth
15 September 1919 -
Age
25 - Place of
birth
Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts -
Hometown
Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
11009842 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Tank Commander -
Unit
771st Tank Battalion
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
12 April 1945 - Place of
death
Wathlingen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| I | 12 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Edward J. Bissaillon (father)
Celina B. (Richard) Bissaillon (mother)
Marie E. Bissaillon (sister)
Esther C. Bissaillon (sister)
Doris I. Bissaillon (sister)
Alyce D. (Gates) Bissaillon (wife)
Edmond A. Bissaillon Jr. (son)
David A. Bissaillon (son)
More information
S/Sgt Edmond A. Bissaillon drove a semi-trailer for the New England Fuel Company.He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Springfield, Massachusetts on 28 January 1942. He was sent overseas in June, 1944.
He was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation cited: Sgt Bissaillon, while assisting a battalion of infantry in an assault against the enemy in a strongly defended town, sighted two enemy tanks at a distance of about fifteen hundred yards. Although his position was not a tenable one, he commanded the attack of his tank against the enemy tanks and successfully knocked out one prior to receiving two direct hits on his own tank from the other enemy tank. Instead of leaving his tank, he chose to remain and deliver fire on the other enemy tank. After expending all ammunition, he succeeded in destroying the remaining enemy tank and evacuated his entire crew
S/Sgt. Bissaillon got out of his tank, walked across an open field, and a mortar shell landed next to him.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Terry Hirsch, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.masslive.com, The Boston Globe - 26 February 1945
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, David A. Bissaillon (son), Springfield Evening Union - 1 March 1945