Sgt. Raymond Carl Gagnier
Born: 9 August 1915 – Carbon Hill, Illinois
Parents: Guy R. Gagnier & Josephine Sambrook-Gagnier
– parents divorced
Siblings: 2 sisters
Home:
– 513 Hannah Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois
– his family was from Joliet, Illinois
Education:
– Field Stevenson School
– Proviso Township High School
– Class of 1934
– left before class graduated
Occupation: Store manager – Western Auto and Tire Store
– worked for his father
Selective Service Registration: 16 October 1940
Contact Person: Mrs. Jose Phine – mother
Enlisted:
– 24 September 1941 – Chicago, Illinois
– U. S. Army
Serial Number: 36079796
Training:
– Fort Custer, Michigan
– Camp Roberts, California
– Fort Lewis, Washington
– trained with jungle fighters
– Australia
Unit: Company B, 163nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division
Engagements:
– Battle of Biak Island, New Guinea
– landed 26 May 1944
– met his brother-in-law S/Sgt. Terry Churchill who was also on New Guinea
Killed in Action:
– Biak Island, New Guinea
– Americans attacked Ibdi Pocket
– 6 June 1944
Missing in Action:
– 10 August 1944 – his parents received word he was MIA
Death:
– 14 September 1944 – parents informed he was Killed in Action
Memorial Service:
– 15 October 1944 – American Legion Home, Forest Park
Buried:
– Elmhurst Cemetery – Joliet, Illinois
Medals:
– Good Conduct Medal
– Combat Infantry Medal
– American Defense Medal
– Victory Medal
– Presidential Unit Citation
– Purple Heart
