Matthew was inducted on October 15, 1940 as a Private First Class. He was part of the 32nd Red Arrow Division that crossed the Owen Stanley Mountains on foot, and participated in the assault on the Japanese at Buna in Papua New Guinea.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Bronze Starts, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Philippine Liberation Medal and Honorable Service Lapel Button.

He was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal on July 7, 1945 at Fort Sheridan Illinois. ¹

He passed away in 1950 and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon. ²

 

 

1. “World War II Honoree.” World War II Memorial Registry, www.wwiimemorial.com/Registry/plaque.aspx?honoreeID=2140316.
2. “Find a Grave.” Matthew E Gauthier, Jr (1923 – 1950) – Find A Grave Memorial, www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Gauthier&GSfn=Matthew&GSmn=E&GSby=1930&GSbyrel=before&GSdyrel=all&GSst=24&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=85938589&df=all&.

Stories with Matthew Gauthier

• Life at Camp Beauregard
• Home for the Holidays