World War II Honoree

Milton Bienvenu, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Laplace, Louisiana

Honored By

Bienvenue Family

PROUDLY SERVED WITH THE RANK OF ENSIGN ABOARD THE YMS304, A MINESWEEPER, IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL, WHERE HE PREPARED THE AREA BETWEEN THE OMAHA AND UTAH BEACHES FOR THE INFAMOUS D-DAY INVASION. IN VIOLATION OF THE GENEVA CONVENTION, THE GERMAN NAVY ATTACKED HIS VESSEL WITH ILLEGAL EXPLOSIVES. BRAVELY, HE SAVED TWO WOUNDED SAILORS FROM THE WATERS OF FRANCE BY TIEING THEM TO HIS BODY AND TOWING THEM TO SAFETY, WHERE ALL THREE WERE TAKEN TO A FIELD HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. FOR HIS HEROIC ACTIONS, HE WAS AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART AND BRONZE STAR MEDALS.