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).

Edward Laurain's WWI Draft Registration Card

This is the World War I draft registration card for my great-grandmother Susan Laurain's brother, Edward William Laurain.  At 27 years old, they listed his height as "short," his eyes as gray, his hair brown and his build as slender.   

I altered this image to be side-by-side, they were originally scanned further apart.

Source:"United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K6XM-NW9 : accessed 02 Oct 2013), Edward William Laurain, 1917-1918.

Edward Laurain WWII Draft Registration Card

This was Edward William Laurain's WWII Draft Registration card.  He was my great-grandmother Susan Laurain's brother.  Their parents were Francis Xavier Laurain and Sarah Roe.  Edward Laurain was married to an English woman named Eunice White.

This gives a great description of him at 52 years old.  He had blue eyes, gray hair and "ruddy" skin.  He was 65" tall, meaning he was nearly 5'4" short.

These 2 documents were on 2 separate films and I have compiled them into one image.

Source:
"United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J4S3-6NN : accessed 02 Oct 2013), Edward William Laurain, 1942.

Pedro Hilarion Arcala WWII Draft Registration Cards

Hilarion Arcala was born on October 19, 1893 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.  He was the older brother of my grandfather, Mamerto Agan Arcala.  He changed his name to Pedro when he came to the United States, and was known as Pete and to my father, "Uncle Pete."  These are his WWII Draft Registration cards.

Fletcher Laurain's WWI Draft Registration Card

Fletcher William Laurain was the son of Sarah Roe and Francis Xavier Laurain.  They were my 2nd great grandparents, making Fletcher my 2nd great uncle.  Fletcher was born on January 15, 1900 in Springwells Township, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan.

This is Fletcher Laurain's WWI Draft Registration Card.

Harvey Joseph Barron WWII Draft Registration

This is the WWII Draft Registration card for Harvey Joseph Barron, my great-grandfather.

• Serial #: 1578
• Name:  Harvey Joseph Barron
• Place of Residence:  5893 Romeyn, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
• Mailing Address:  Same
• Telephone:  Lafayette 6217
• Age in Years:  54
• Date of Birth:  July 17, 1887
• Place of Birth:  Windsor, Ontario
• Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address:  Alice Laurain, 1515 Livernois, Detroit, Michigan
• Employer's Name and Address:  Harris Printing Co
• Place of Employment:  2002 - Dragoon, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
• Race:  White
• Height:  5'7"
• Weight:  130
• Eyes:  Brown
• Hair:  Gray
• Complexion:  Light
• Other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification:  2 scars on left hand
• Date of Registration:  April 27, 1942

Updated September 3, 2015.

Harvey Barron WWI Draft Registration

These are the same Draft Registration information for Harvey Joseph Barron.  The handwriting and signatures are different, but the information is the same.  

• Form 1:  1719
• Number:  172
• Name in Full:  Harvey Joseph Barron
• Age in Years:  29
• Home Address:  816 Dix, Detroit, Michigan
• Date of Birth:  July 17, 1887
• Are you a Natural Born Citizen:  Natural Born Citizen
• Where were you born:  Windsor, Ontario, Canada
• What is your present trade, occupation, or office?:  Manager
• By whom employed:  Own pool room
• Where employed:  Detroit
• Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on you?:  Wife + 2 children
• Married or Single:  Married
• Race:  Caucasian
• What military service have you had?  Rank:  No  
• Branch:  No
• Years:  No
• Nation or State:  No
• Do you claim exemption from duty (specify grounds)?:  Dependents
• Tall, Medium or Short:  Medium
• Slender, Medium or Stout:  Slender
• Color of eyes:  Brown
• Color of hair:  Black
• Bald:  Slightly
• Has person lost arm, leg, hand, feet, or both eyes, or is he otherwise disabled?:  No
• I certify that my answers are true, that the person registered has read his own answers, that I have witnessed his signature, and that all of his answers of which I have knowledge are true, except as follows:  Born in Windsor while parents were temporarily there

Updated:  September 3, 2015