A TIME TO REMEMBER

Lee Earl Aucoin’s name is among the names inscribed on one of the monuments at the Veterans Memorial brick-courtyard, located at Park Avenue and South 2nd Street in Eunice.
Aucoin’s name is also associated with VFW Post 8971, Doucet-Aucoin, in Eunice.
Aucoin was a 22-year-old sailor serving on the USS Brooks when he was killed on a landing craft in the Pacific on Dec. 26, 1943, as the United States battled Japan.
Aucoin is remembered in public places here, but it took a visit to The Eunice News by his niece and nephew to give a glimpse into his life.
Kathleen Courville Bergeron, of Mamou,, and Randy Courville, of Eunice, provided newspaper articles, a Western Union death notice, a death certificate signed by President Franklin Roosevelt and a photograph of their late uncle who served as a U.S. Navy seaman, first class, during World War II.
Lee Earl Aucoin died serving our country at sea, the Pacific, while serving on the USS Brooks, a destroyer.
Aucoin enlisted when he was 21 years and died 16 months later, on Dec. 26, 1943.
He was the first of two children of Earl and Rena Aucoin, of Eunice, and their only son. The family resided at 311 N. Eighth St.
Aucoin’s younger sister, Leola Aucoin Courville, died in 1997.
Aucoin is buried next to his parents in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Eunice.
Aucoin was a 1940 Eunice High School graduate.
Bergeron said, “His girlfriend at the time was Burneat ‘Neat’ Taylor. She was a classmate also.”
The New Era’s Jan. 19, 1944, edition included the headline, “Earl Aucoin is Reported Killed in Line of Duty.”
The story stated, “Lee Earl Aucoin, Seaman, first class, United States Naval Reserve, is reported to be killed in the line of duty, according to an announcement by the Navy Department, through Eighth Naval District Headquarters. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Aucoin, Eunice, La., have been notified.”
On Jan. 26, 1944, The New Era reported, “Mr. and Mrs. Aucoin receive condolence letter from Sec. Knox. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Aucoin of this city, have received the following letter of condolence from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, on the death of their son, Lee Earl Aucoin, recently killed in action: ‘My Dear Mr. and Mrs. Aucoin: I desire to offer you my personal condolence in the death of your son, Lee Earl Aucoin, Seaman first class, United States Naval Reserve, which occurred on December 26, 1943, while in performance of his duties. It is hoped that you find comfort in the thought that he made the supreme sacrifice upholding the highest traditions of the Navy, in the defense of his country. Sincerely yours, Frank Knox.’
“Seaman Aucoin was 22 years of age on December 9, and had been in service 16 months without coming home on leave. He entered the service at San Diego, California, and was Engineering Commando when killed.
“Impressive memorial-funeral services were held for him at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Sunday, January 16. The Right Rev. Msgr. A. Martel, officiating.
“In addition to his father and mother, he leaves a sister, Miss Leola Aucoin.”
On June 21, 1944, The New Era headline stated, “President Awards Posthumous Medal to Lee E. Aucoin.”
The article said, “Word has been received from Washington that the President of the United States has presented the Silver Star Medal posthmously to Seaman First Class Lee E. Aucoin, United States Naval Reserve, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Aucoin of Eunice, for service as set forth in the following citation: For conspicous gallantry and intrepidity in action as Coxswain of a Personnel Landing craft from which landed the first wave of assault troops during the occupation of Cape Gloucester, New Britian.
“Successfully beaching the landing craft without casualties, Aucoin then cleared the beach, hoisting his boat aboard a Landing Ship Tank promptly and skillfully. Subjected to savage enemy aircraft attack as the ship was leaving Cape Gloucester, Aucoin fearlessly ran and manned the machine gun in his boat, but was instantly killed by bomb fragments.
“His valiant devotion to duty in a time of great peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”