Sgt. Raymond Carl Gagnier was born in Carbon Hill, Illinois, on August 9, 1915, to Guy R. Gagnier and Josephine Sambrook-Gagnier, and had two sisters. It is known that he lived in Joliet, Illinois, and later at 513 Hannah Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, where he graduated from the Field Stevenson School. He began high school at Proviso Township High School in Maywood, but left school before graduating and went to work at the Western Auto and Tire Store, owned by his father, and was a manager. He also married Fern Tansley on February 12, 1936. When the Selective Service Act became law on October 16, 1940, Raymond registered for the draft and named his mother as his contact person.
Raymond was drafted into the US Army, in Chicago, on September 24, 1941, and issued the serial number 36079796. It is known he trained had several bases, but it is not known when he was at each base. In no particular order, he trained at Fort Custer, Michigan, Camp Roberts, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington. During this time he trained with what was termed “jungle fighters.” His wife also divorced him during this time.
After his training he was assigned to Company B, 163nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division, and was sent to Australia. It is known that in late 1942, the 41st was sent to New Guinea, and fought on the island for almost two years. The division took part in the Battle of Biak and landed on the island on May 27, 1944. The Japanese allowed the Allies to land unopposed hoping to trap them in a kill zone by the airfield they wanted to capture. While on the island, he met his brother-in-law, S/Sgt. Terry Churchill, who was also fighting on the island. The troops were had little opposition as they moved inland. It was when they reached the airfield that all hell broke loose with heavy fighting lasting weeks and viewed by the Japanese as opportunity to turn the war against the US.
What is known is that Raymond was killed on June 26, 1944, and on August 10th, his mother received a telegram from the War Department.
MRS GUY GAGNIER
7640 WEST MADISON STREET FOREST PARK IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAT DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON SERGEANT RAYMOND C GAGNIER HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY SIX JUNE IN SOUTHWEST PACFIC IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIFIED=
ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
On September 14, 1944, his mother received another telegram.
MRS GUY GAGNIER
7640 WEST MADISON STREET FOREST PARK IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SON SERGEANT RAYMOND C GAGNIER WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION TWENTY SIX JUNE IN SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
A letter of confirmation was sent to his mother, but its content is not known. Raymond’s parents held a memorial service for him at the American Legion Hall in Forest Park. Not much information is known about events during the following years except that his parents wrote the Office of Quartermaster General requesting that Raymond be returned home. They also informed the OQMG that they had moved to Los Angeles, California. It was May 13, 1948, that his parents received a letter providing them with information on their options for Ray’s final burial. They were asked to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where they wanted Raymond buried. The completed form was received by the QOQMG on June 7, 1948, indicating that Raymond should be buried in Joliet, Illinois.
Raymond’s casket was placed on the USAT Sgt. Jack Pendleton, which sailed for the United States on December 17, 1948. The ship arrived at Ft. Mason, San Francisco Port of Entry on January 14, 1949, and then at the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Center #8, Chicago, on January 26, 1949. By a military hearse, his remains were taken to the Gustaf A. Carlson Funeral Home, Joliet, Illinois, and arrived on February 11, 1949, at approximately 10:10 am. Sgt. Raymond C. Gagnier was buried at the Elmhurst Cemetery in Joliet, Illinois.
