Leo A. Gamache, WW2 Navy Vet, KIA In North Korea, While Serving In U.S. Army, Body Returned Home To Military Honors

A Middleboro World War 2 Navy veteran, Leo Armand Gamache, 24, was killed in action on October 6, 1951, while serving as a Private First Class with the U.S. Army in the area of Yanguu, North Korea, according to military reports.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Gamache of 69 Cambridge Street were notified of his death by telegram from Major General William E Bergin of the Army. He is the first Middleboro resident to lose his life in Korea.

An only son, he is survived by his parents and his sister Dorothy.

Leo was a June 1945 graduate of Middleboro High School. Following graduation, he immediately joined the Navy at age 17 and was sworn in on July 12, 1945. According to an article published in the Middleboro Gazette, he served on a mine sweeper and was discharged after 10 months and seven days.

His name was then placed on the Selective Service roster. As action increased in Korea, his name was drawn and he was inducted into the Army on December 6, 1950 at Boston. He was sent to Fort Dix for training and was shipped to San Francisco from there in August, 1951. Subsequently sent Korea, he was assigned to Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division for which he was serving when he was killed.

It wasn’t until February 29, 1952 when his remains were returned to Middleboro for burial. His body was transported by train and escorted by Sgt. John L. Langdon of the Brooklyn Army base. His flag draped casket arrived on the night train.

Representing Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion to meet the train was Wilmouth Waterman. Philip P. Marra represented the John Glass, Jr., Post 2188 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the arrival. Mrs. Mary Waterman, president of the American Legion Auxiliary also attended.

Louis A. Cole director of the veterans of Middleboro bureau and Service Officer for Post 64 was involved in the return of PFC Gamache’s body. Mr. Cole also arranged for the military ceremonies to be rendered during the wake and funeral.

A procession from the railroad station to the Funeral Home on South Main Street with “a large number of veterans accompanying the body,” according to the Gazette article.

“Alton Kramer and Harold C. Tessier were color bearers and Joseph Matriscinno and Paul McCann color guards. Bearers were Chester Jablonski, Benjamin Mackiewicz, Weldon Thomas, Edmond Yarusites, Edgar Wilbur and William Donahue,” according to the newspaper.

During the wake at the Funeral Chapel, honor guards stood with the casket and remained on duty throughout the night.

Legion members who attended the burial service as Honor Guards and pall bearers at St. Mary’s cemetery included: William N. Sheehy, Wilmouth Waterman, Paul McCann, William Donohue, Fred M. Wright and Freeman Taylor. The VFW was represented by, among others, Herbert Finneran, Phillip Marra, Patrick J. McMahon, Chester Jablonski and Henry Malenfant.

Sgt. Langdon, the escort, at the finish of the burial service, presented the coffin flag to PFC Gamache’s father. (Compiled by Bob Lessard Post Historian 2014)