Sgt. Leo O. Forcier KIA in Germany Laid to Rest With Legionnaires And VFW Veterans Rendering Military Honors

Nearly nine months after Sergeant Leo O. Forcier, 30, was Killed In Action in Germany on March 24, 1945, his body was finally laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Middleboro on December 12, 1945. American Legion members and veterans from John Glass, Jr., Post 2188 VFW participated in all aspects of rendering military honors to the fallen Middleboro man.

Sergeant Forcier, according to military reports, was leading a squad from F Company of the 18th Infantry, when he was instantly killed on Saturday, March 24, 1945 by a shell fragment fired from a German tank in Uckerath, Germany.

Published reports state that Sergeant Forcier and his squad were defending a house in Uckerath, which was being contested by the Germans.

Inducted into the U.S. Army on March 9, 1944, he first trained at Ft. McClellan and then Ft. Meade. Later, he was stationed at Camp Myles Standish in Taunton. He shipped out in October 1944 for overseas duty.

He was involved in many battle engagements while in Europe: St. Vith, Aachen, Hurtgen Forest at Cologne and was at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Sergeant Forcier earned the Silver Star with Oak Leaf cluster, Infantryman’s Badge and a Purple Heart.

Sergeant Forcier is survived by his wife the former Anna Gamache and their young daughter Ann. The couple had been living in Middleboro since their marriage in November 1941.He is the son of Mr. and Mrs Wilfred F. Forcier of Kingston. He has three brothers, Wilfred, George, Arthur and a sister Mrs Helen Fortin.

After losing his life in Germany, his body was buried on March 28, 1945 in the United States military cemetery near Henri Chapelle, Belgium, according to a letter to Mrs. Forcier received from his Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Williamson.

Clarence H. Hayward of American Legion Post 64 had been notified by military authorities of Sergeant Forcier’s body being transported to Boston. Hayward, in preparation of the arrival of Sergeant Forcier’s body, arranged honor guard details for posting at the Fahey Funeral home.

Legion members along with VFW veterans carried his coffin into Sacred Heart church for a High Mass of Requiem. Members of both military Posts lined both sides of the church entryway with a flag detail and firing squad. After the funeral service the cortege was led to St. Mary’s cemetery by members of the Middleboro High School band playing muffled drums.

Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion members who participated in the military honor guard were John Guertin, Henry Dutra, Lester Spaulding, Steve Martin, Robert DeCosta, Leo Gautheir, Henry Sowyrda, George Marra and William Heinz.

Also, George Wheeler, Reginald W. Drake, Frederick Thorley, Walter Campbell, Vito Monteiro, Leo Gamache and Arthur Gamache.

At St. Mary’s cemetery, the veterans conducted military rituals, including the firing of three volleys and the playing of Taps. The flag covering the casket was presented to Mrs. Leo Forcier by William Heinz, American Legion Chaplain of Post 64.

Mrs. Forcier placed a Card of Thanks in the Middleboro Gazette to the American Legion "for their many acts of kindness...during our recent sorrow in the loss of my husband Sgt. Leo O. Forcier." ...............(Compiled by Bob Lessard Historian 2014.)