Joseph Verbis LaFleur ★ World War II Gold Star Veteran from Louisiana
On September 7, 1944 First Lieutenant LaFleur was declared a casualty of World War II. ★ He served with honor in the United States Army Air Forces. ★ He is remembered by the people of Louisiana. ★ May his positive example inspire us. Working together towards peace, mutual respect, and equality for all.
We all benefit when we work together to honor fallen American service members. The Honor States archive is a grassroots initiative. Of the people, by the people, for the people.
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Our displayed data concerning the life and military history of Joseph Verbis LaFleur is a work in progress. We've assembled a list of elements we are in the process of researching and reviewing. This profile was last edited on 2024-08-05 10:34:57.
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Service Details
This Profile ID | 50532 |
Service ID | O-413997 |
Name | Joseph Verbis LaFleur |
From | New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana |
Birth Date | January 24, 1912 |
Casualty Date | September 7, 1944 |
War | World War II |
Service Branch | Army Air Forces |
Rank | First Lieutenant |
Specialty | Chaplain |
Unit/Group | 19th Bomber Group, Heavy, Headquarters Squadron |
Casualty Type | Missing in action, Prisoner of War |
Location | Philippines |
Burial | Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines |
Notable Awards |
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Bronze Star
★ Prisoner of War Medal
★ Purple Heart |
Remembered |
Joseph Verbis LaFleur is buried or memorialized at Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location. |
Additional Details
Lieutenant Father Verbis Lafleur was born in Ville Platte, Evangeline Parish, Louisiana. He was the son of Valentin Lafleur and Agatha Dupre. He was ordained a priest in New Orleans, in 1938. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1941, before the U.S. entered the 2nd World War. In July of that year, he was assigned to the 19th Bombardment Unit, and sent to the Philippines as their chaplain.
He became a prisoner of war when his unit was captured by the Japanese, and was killed when the ship on which he and 750 prisoners were being transported, the Shinyo Maru, was torpedoed by an American submarine.
Father Lafleur refused to leave the ship when the men had the chance to climb out, instead remaining behind to help the other men up the ladder. Those who made it to shore last saw him in waist-deep water, assisting others. His body was not recovered.
For his bravery in action, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and was later awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Then, On October 17, 2017, he posthumously received a second Distinguished Service Medal and Purple Heart for his actions on board the Japanese prisoner of war ship that cost him his life but saved scores more. A cause for canonization to sainthood for Father Lafleur was opened in May, 2012. |
Commendations + Awards
Please note this might not be a complete or completely accurate accounting. For some awards we use probability factors based on known service details. Thanks for your understanding.
★ Distinguished Service Cross
★ Army Distinguished Service Medal
★ Bronze Star
★ Prisoner of War Medal
★ Purple Heart
★ Chaplain Badge
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
★ Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Notable Reference Sources
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Louisiana Gold Star Veterans Gallery
Honoring the men and women of
Louisiana who gave their all for their country.
May their example of courage and sacrifice be our guide. To be strong and responsible in our lives as citizens of the world.
Through honest daily actions, we honor them.
▼ Louisiana was home to over 7,442
American Gold Star veterans from 4 wars of the 20th Century. Some significant statistics:
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Honor States Admin
Carrol D. Lafleur
Roy "Joker"
Sarah Jo "Lady Chaos"
▼ Primary Sources - These are repositories for artifacts, documents, diaries, manuscripts, and other information that serve as original and authoritative sources of information.
National Archives (NARA)
Library of Congress (LOC)
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)
Findagrave.com
Ancestry.com
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