DOB/DOD: January 23, 1924 (Norwich, CT) – March 20, 1944; 20 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
LOCAL ADDRESS: Newtown Avenue, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: December 9, 1942
SERVICE NUMBER: 505674
UNIT: Marine Corps Air Station NOB, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
FAMILY: Born to Raymond G. (1902-1973) and Ida C. Boiselle LaFrance (1898-1948). One sister Stella LaFrance Smart (1926-2008).
CIRCUMSTANCES: The official cause was “Accidental Death”. PFC LaFrance died in an automobile accident at 10:30 p.m. on March 20, 1944, when the vehicle he was in was rear-ended by another military vehicle while assigned to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Initially interred locally on the island, then Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, and reinterred in 1948 at the family’s request.
From The Norwalk Hour March 30, 1944
PFC Raymond D. LaFrance, 20, of the U.S. Marines and son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond G. LaFrance of 47 High Street, is dead of injuries received in an auto accident on an island in the Atlantic, according to word received from the War Department by his parents. His death took place on March 20th, a week after PFC La France had returned to duty after enjoying a furlough at home. PFC LaFrance enlisted in the Marines in the early part of 1943. He trained at Parris Island. Before enlisting, he was employed at the Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford.
Private LaFrance is buried in Long Island National Cemetery; 2040 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, New York; Section H, Plot 11865. Photo by webmaster.
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