John Semmes, Associate honors Elroy LeJuene, KIA in the Bulge

Elroy LeJuene, 4th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Regiment

This project to document Elroy LeJeune’s life, military service and ultimate sacrifice started quite by chance. Sometime after my mother’s death in late 2010, a 1994 newspaper article about Southwest Louisiana servicemen killed in the Battle of the Bulge was found in her belongings and given to me. When I started inquiring about the specifics of his service and death, I was surprised about how little was actually known by family members.

As I began looking into his WWII service, I became interested in his early life and family background as well. This journey led me to meet many people who helped and contributed to this booklet, which has been almost a year in the making. Thank you all.. ..you know who you are!

John Semmes, Associate Member

Our goal is to ensure his 352 living nephews and nieces from his 11 siblings learn of his life and ultimate sacrifice for their freedom. Elroy LeJeune was on this earth for 25 short years. Seven of these years were as an adult with two years in Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC’s) and three years away from home in WWII.

We hope that this booklet and ceremonies held on Memorial Day (May 28, 2012) accomplished our goal.

Click on kplctv.com to view video of the ceremonies

Click here to read VBOB President Bailey’s letter

 Click here to read Memorial Day program