Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joseph
Verbis
LaFleur
POW (WWII) KIA
January 24, 1912

–

September 7, 1944

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Manila (Wall of the Missing)

Joseph Lafleur was the fourth of seven children in a troubled family; his father deserted the family when Joseph was only about twelve years old. His mother was forced to take odd jobs and grow a garden to feed her family. At an early age he begged his mother and parish priest to allow him to study for the priesthood, and his priest made arrangements for him to enter Saint JosephÕs Minor Seminary in Saint Benedict, Louisiana in 1927, when he was only 15-years-old. After eleven years of preparation he was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1938, and celebrated his First Solemn Mass at his home parish, Saint Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas, Louisiana, on April 5, 1938. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army prior to the beginning of World War II, and was stationed at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands when war began. When offered the chance for evacuation, he declined, refusing to leave his men, and accompanied them into combat. On one occasion, he crawled on his stomach through a hail of bullets to rescue a wounded officer. Captured and interned as a Prisoner of War at the fall of the Philippine Islands, he died while being transported in the Japanese POW ship Shinyo Maru, which was attacked and sunk by American aircraft in September 1944. One of the 82 survivors of the incident stated that he last saw Chaplain LaFleur standing in the hold by the ladder helping others to escape.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Batallion:

    Headquarters Squadron

    Regiment:

    19th Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 8, 1941
    Headquarters, Office of the Department Commander, South West Pacific Command, General Orders No. 2 (February 15, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Joseph Verbis LaFleur (ASN: 0-413997), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Chaplain in Headquarters Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces during the first Japanese attack on a Philippine Island airport on 8 December 1941. Chaplain LaFleur worked among the wounded, removing them to safety, and comforting the dying. First Lieutenant LaFleur’s intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    December 30, 1941 – September 7, 1944
    Headquarters, Department of the Army, General Orders No. 2017-32 (September 11, 2017)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Chaplain’s Corps) Joseph Verbis LaFleur (ASN: 0-413997), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism from 30 December 1941 through 7 September 1944. While evading capture aboard the S.S. MAYTON, Chaplain LaFleur was instrumental in saving three men who jumped overboard during an attack from a Japanese bomber. After the three men were rescued, he then assisted Soldiers into lifeboats until he was the last man on the ship, denying his own chance to escape to Australia. As a Prisoner of War after 1 January 1942, Chaplain LaFleur constructed a chapel at the prison camp to minister to men of all faiths. He continuously advocated for food and medicine for the prisoners often intervening on their behalf, resulting in beatings at the hands of his captors. Later, while aboard the “hell ship” SHINYO MARU bound for Japan, he organized distribution of the meager rations allotted to approximately 400 prisoners and was observed giving his rations to others. On 7 September 1944, the submarine U.S.S. PADDLE, believing the ship was transporting Japanese Soldiers, sank the SHINYO MARU. Chaplain LaFleur was last seen aiding prisoners to escape in spite of Japanese guards firing small arms weapons and throwing hand grenades into the ship’s hold. Chaplain LaFleur’s personal valor and self-sacrifice in the face of grave danger are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Army of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    January 1, 1942 – Died in Captivity

    First Lieutenant (Chaplain) Joseph Verbis LaFleur (ASN: 0-413997), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands on or about 1 January 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death in captivity on 7 September 1944.