DOB/DOD: December 11, 1911 (St. Armand, Quebec, Canada) – April 29, 1945; 33 years
old
MARITAL STATUS: Divorced from Pauline Frotton Rheaume (1913-1995).
CHILDREN: Two daughters, Barbara (1932-1992) and Elaine (1934-2019).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 165 South Main Street (parents)
ENLISTMENT: December 14, 1942
SERVICE NUMBER: 39658562
UNIT: 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Oscar P. (1872-1971) and Victoria Therrien Rheaume (1882-1961). Four brothers, Joseph N. (1904-1974), Oscar E. (1905-1906), Joseph O. (1909-1971), and Leon G. (1916-1916). Three sisters, Marie C. (1910-2000), Marie P. (1913-2001), and Irene (1922-2009).
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
OTHER: Naturalized as a U.S. Citizen while stationed in Italy on September 11, 1944.Listed as a casualty from California. He was working as a cameraman for Warner Brothers studio when he enlisted.
NOTE: Listed as a casualty from California. He was working as a cameraman for Warner Brothers studio when he enlisted.
From The Fitchburg Sentinel (MA) May 17, 1945
Sergeant Leo J. Rheaume, 33, formerly of this city was killed in action in Italy on April 29 according to word received by his brother Camille Rheaume, of 62 Sheridan Street. Sergeant Rheaume, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Rheaume, of Norwalk, Connecticut entered the service in January 1944. Previous to his entrance into the Army he was employed at Senay’s drug store, by the City Cab Company, and as a cameraman at the Warner Brothers studios in Hollywood, California. He had seen action in North Africa and was with the infantry during the first landings in Italy. He was wounded in action on October 24, 1944, and was the holder of the Purple Heart.
Buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 474 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Section 4. Photo by webmaster.
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