Hometown Heroes
Private 1st Class Leo W. Loiselle, U.S. Army (1918-1944)
The Battle of Metz was a three-month battle (Sep-Oct-Nov 1944) fought between the United States Army and the German Army during WWII. It took place at the city of Metz (in the Alsace Lorraine region of France) following the Allied breakout after the Normandy landings. The city was heavily defended by the Germans, and casualties were heavy for both sides. The heavily fortified city of Metz, part of the vaunted Maginot Line, was captured by U.S. forces by November 22nd 1944, but sadly, Private Leo Loiselle would not live to see this hard won victory. He was killed in action on Nov. 21, 1944 during the assault on an underground tunnel complex at Metz which resulted in the capture of a German General – Heinrich Kittel, the commander of the Wehrmacht’s 462nd Infantry Division.
Private 1st Class Leo Loiselle was assigned to Company K, 377th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division nicknamed "The Iron Men of Metz". He enlisted on Jan. 27, 1944. He was sent to the ETO in August 1944. Four months later he was KIA during the Battle of Metz on Nov. 21, 1944 in the Alsace Lorraine region of France. He was 26 years old. He was born in North Grosvenordale CT on Feb. 19, 1918, the son of William Loiselle and Flora Hamel. He left behind a wife – Mary Gaucher. He is buried at St Mary’s. The following articles were written about him in the local newspapers:
Windham County Observer, December 13, 1944: Pfc. Leo Loiselle, 26, Killed In Action: According to a war department telegram received by his wife, the former Theresa Gaucher of Church Street, Pfc. Leo Loiselle, 26, was killed in action in France on November 21. He entered the service last February and has been overseas since August. A native of North Grosvenordale, the soldier attended Tourtellotte Memorial High School and was employed at the Pratt Whitney Aircraft Corporation in Willimantic. Besides his wife he leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Loiselle of North Grosvenordale and a sister, Rita, also of North Grosvenordale.
Windham County Observer, January 03, 1945: Military Mass Sung For Pfc. Leo Loiselle: A military solemn high mass was celebrated Saturday morning at 9 o’clock in St. Mary’s Church for Pfc. Leo W. Loiselle, who was killed in action in France, Nov. 21. The usual American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars delegations added to the solemnity of the ceremony.
Windham County Observer, August 25, 1948: Leo Loiselle’s Body Arrives In New York: The body of Private First Class Leo W. Loiselle is one of those of 5864 Americans, including 76 from Connecticut, who lost their lives during World War II and have been returned to this country aboard the Army Transport Lawrence Victory, the Army announced Saturday. They arrived at the New York Port of Embarkation. Pfc. Loiselle was the husband of Mrs. Theresa (Gaucher) Loiselle of Church Street. Included also in the list of returning war dead is Private Thomas V. Ryan of Grosvenordale. Sylvia F. Ryan is listed as next of kin.
Windham County Observer, September 15, 1948: Military Rites Held For World War 2 Hero: Full military honors were accorded Private First Class Leo Loiselle, husband of Mrs. Theresa (Gaucher) Loiselle of this city, at a funeral service held Friday morning in St. Mary’s Church. The Rt. Rev. Monsignor John C. Mathieu, pastor of the church, was celebrant of the Mass; the Rev. Bertrand Parent, a former Army chaplain, was deacon, and the Rev. Theodore P. Gubala was sub-deacon. Bearers were Ovila Lapierre, Bernard Beausoleil, Gerard Hamel. Alfred Racicot, Napoleon Laroche and Harvey Hebert. Funeral arrangements were made by members of the Albert J. Breault Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars. The post Commander, Joseph Lefevre, presented a copy of the Veterans of Foreign Wars publication. “How Sleep the Brave” to Pfc. Loiselle’s widow.
Pfc. Loiselle’s body was returned to this country for burial from an overseas cemetery. It arrived Wednesday night at the Putnam Railroad Station and was borne to the A. Gilman Funeral Home where it lay in state. Private First Class Loiselle was killed in action in Metz, Germany on November 21, 1944. The son of Mr. and Mrs. William Loiselle of North Grosvenordale, Mr. Loiselle, married Miss Theresa Gaucher of this city in April 1941. Prior to his induction at Fort Devens MA, Mr. Loiselle was employed by Pratt & Whitney. Following basic training at Indiantown Gap PA, Pfc Loiselle went overseas, landing first in England, then going into France and later to Germany. He served with the 95th Infantry Division. Besides his parents and his wife, he leaves a sister, Miss Rita Loiselle of North Grosvenordale.
Hometown Heroes books can be purchased online at: https://hometown-heroes-of-the-quiet-corner.myshopify.com/ - all proceeds benefit the local American Legion Post. Hometown Heroes is a series published in the Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger with this mission: We owe it to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to make sure that they are never forgotten, and that the memory of their service and sacrifice will forever live on in the hearts and minds of the grateful people of Putnam.