Private Francis J. Laurain - Killed in Action

Photo on Findagrave, courtesy of Anita Sedlacek

I found this wonderful headstone of my grandmother Lenore Barron's first cousin.  He was one of her first cousins I did not have a birth and death date for in our family tree.  I hadn't realized he died in World War II and am extremely touched by the bravery this young man and blood relative has done for our country and the world.

There is a slight discrepancy on his headstone versus the synopsis written by the US Government that states he passed on May 31, 1944 while the other says he died on June 1, 1944 in Italy.

The biography on his Findagrave profile reads:
PVT, 135 INF, 34 INF DIV WORLD WAR II
 *Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Francis J. Laurain (36131186), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 31 May 1944. Private Laurain's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 175 (1944)

From MilitaryTimes.com:
SYNOPSIS: Private Francis J. Laurain (ASN: 36131186), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 1 June 1944. Private Laurain's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 175 (1944) 
Action Date: 1-Jun-44
Service: Army
 Rank: Private
 Company: Company K
 Regiment: 135th Infantry Regiment
 Division: 34th Infantry Division

From HomeOfHeroes:
*LAURAIN, FRANCIS J. (KIA)
Synopsis: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Francis J. Laurain (36131186), Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 1 June 1944. Private Laurain's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders No. 175 (1944)
Home Town: Carleton, Michigan

From United States World War II Army Enlistment Records:

• Name: Francis J Laurain 
• Name (Original): LAURAIN FRANCIS J
• Event Type: Military Service Event
• Date: 22 Oct 1941
• Event Place: Detroit, Michigan, United States
• Race: White
• Citizenship Status: citizen
• Birth Year: 1920
• Birthplace: MICHIGAN
• Education Level: 1 year of high school
• Civilian Occupation: Semiskilled welders and flame cutters
• Marital Status: Single, without dependents
• Military Rank: Private Army
• Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
• Army Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
• Source Reference: Civil Life Serial Number: 36131186
• Affiliate ARC Identifier: 1263923
• Box Film Number: 10375.99
• Affiliate Publication Title: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946
• Source: "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K8PD-ZHM : accessed 27 Oct 2014), Francis J Laurain, enlisted 22 Oct 1941, Detroit, Michigan, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).

From Wikipedia:
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army (and previously, the United States Army Air Forces), for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps), the Air Force Cross (Air Force), and the Coast Guard Cross (Coast Guard).