World War II Honoree

Joseph Charles Picard, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Riverside, Rhode Island

Honored By

Constance Jeanette Picard

Relationship

Daughter

SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL GUARD PRIOR TO ITS FEDERALIZATION INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY. HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF IN AREAS OF, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INFANTRY, MEDICAL, LOGISTICS, TRANSPORTATION, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND RESCUE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS. HE SERVED IN COMBAT UNITS FROM ITALY IN THE EUROPEAN WAR SECTOR, THE GUINEAS IN SOUTH AMERICA, TO PUERTO RICO WHERE HE WAS PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN AND COMMANDED THE 501ST MILITARY POLICE BATTALION. HE RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY AND HEROISM, INCLUDING THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN, AMERICAM DEFENSE, WWII VICTORY MEDALS AND MERIT UNIT CITATION. HE IS THE OLDEST SON OF A WWII FIVE STAR FAMILY AND A GRADUATE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AND OFFICER CANDIDATE, INFANTRY, AND AVIATION ACADEMIC SCHOOLS.