US AIRBORNE

Many thank you to my friend Tyler, Girard's son, for his help!

Marguerite. In 1927, the family immigrated to the United States. No doubt prompted by the search for a job. Indeed, in those years, the crisis began in the world that resulted in the crash of 1929. The family settled in Connecticut. Cagetan worked on farm and Rose found a job in a factory. For a short time children were sent to an orphanage when depression hit the family. Then, Cagetan and Rose found a job at the Hickcock Chair Company in Riverton. They made chairs and solid wood furniture. This work allowed the family not to suffer too much during the Great Depression of 1929. Girard followed over 8 years of primary school and had one year of courses at the high school. But since 1940, war raged in Europe. The United States, although wishing to remain outside the conflict, declared war on the Axis forces after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

In 1943, when Girard had just celebrated his 18th birthday, he was enlisted like many young men before him. It was October 28, 1943. His brother, Joseph was enlisted in the Marines in 1944. Girard Lemieux is sent to a armored unit, where he will follow his basic training. It will be part of the crew of a Medium Tank. But he volunteered to join the paratroopers. Not only, he joined an elite troop, but in addition, he will receive $ 50 as additional premium jump. He was sent to Fort Benning to attend a training parachute jump at 4 weeks. After his five jumps, he was qualified paratrooper. In early 1945, Girard Lemieux left the United States for the European theater. After a stop in England he was sent on the continent, first in France and after in Belgium. Girard was assigned to Company E, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division. At that time, the 17th Airborne out of heavy fighting in the Ardennes. The 507th PIR was in need of reinforcement. When he arrived, the unit left for the front area of rest and preparation for Chalons sur Marne. As of February 12, 1945, the first recruits arrived at last. It lacks most of the men in key positions and specialists. Girard is a anti tank gunner. At that time, the 17th Airborne Division training for Operation Varsity. On March 24, 1945, the D-Day, Girard will make his first combat jump. The 507th PIR jump from the C-47 on the DZ W. The jump was uneventful and the soil will be fighting against the position of 88mm guns. Then the 507th PIR and the entire division advance to the east. The 507th PIR, will include the cities of Pedbemberg, Schermbeck and Wulfen, Germany. This advance will lead to taking in the great city of Muenster the 2 April 1945 and Duisburg the 13 April 1945. At the end of the war, the 507th PIR is in the Essen area. It will serve as occupation duty during 8 weeks. Then, the transfer of men who obtained enough points to go home starts. Girard Lemieux was transferred to the 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division in June 1945.

Then, after passage by the 508th PIR in October 1945, Girard joined the Headquarters of the 1st Airborne Army and later the headquarters of the 78th Infantry Division in December 1945. He will return to the United States the 23 April 1946.

On his return, Girard back to the army. He also became a carpenter between 1946 and 1950. He joined the Connecticut National Guard from 1950 to 1952. He returned to Bremerhaven in Germany with Company H, 169th Infantry Regiment of the 43rd Infantry Division. He held the rank of Sergeant First Class.

In 1956, Girard married with Shirley and had seven children: Joseph, JoAnne, Craig, Wendy, Tyler, Scot and Richard. Two of them, Tyler and Scot will make a career in the Navy. In October 1973, Girard was retired from the Connecticut National Guard. In 1980, Girard retired from the firm of Hitchcock Chair Co Riverton, Connecticut, which manufactures furniture like his parents.
After a quiet life among his family, Girard passed away the 11 May 2009 in his house he had built in Barkhamsted, Connecticut.

Girard upon his return to the United States in 1946.