World War II Honoree

Joseph Lucian B. Gaudrault

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Seaman First Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy October 7, 1940 at Springfield, Massachusetts. Served aboard the USS Shaw Destroyer DD-373 and based at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. On Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941 the Emperor of Japan’s Naval Aviators launched a devastating, surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Base, and other military installations on Oahu. The Destroyer was in dry dock for maintenance, and during the attack she sustained multiple bomb strikes. Fires began spreading through-out the ship, explosions occurred in the ammunition storage lockers, and the order to abandon ship was given. The Battle of Pearl Harbor took his life on the day of the attack, and interred in the Oahu Nuuanu Cemetery, Territory of Hawaii. After the cessation of hostilities with Japan, the family of this Sailor received his remains for burial. He was laid to rest August 27, 1949 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Saint Louis, Missouri. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.