New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
During the month of March, the 497th flag to fly atop Old Glory Tower in the North End honors husband and wife, Tec 5 Henry Lague and Tec 5 Doris (Demers) Lague, as well as their son, SP4 Ronald Lague, all of whom served in the U.S. Army. Henry and Doris served during WWII while their son, Ronald, served during the Vietnam War.
Henry Lague, entered into service on Feb. 26, 1941 and was stationed at Camp Edwards. Doris joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. (WAAC) on Jan. 11, 1943 and received her training at the WAC Training Center in Daytona, FL. Prior to her military service, Doris worked as a stenographer for the Department of Public Welfare and was active in the Civilian Defense Council where she was attached to the health and social services unit. Mr. and Mrs. Lague were separated three days after their marriage when PVT Lague, who had been training at Camp Edwards with the Yankee Division, left for service in the Pacific.
Both Henry and Doris sustained disabilities during war. T5 Henry Lague contracted Malaria after more than two years of fighting in the South Pacific and was sent to Harmon General Hospital in Texas. He volunteered for service before the attack on Pearl Harbor and saw a lot of fighting in the Guadalcanal. T5 Doris Lague, while stationed in Algeria, was on her way back to the barracks, when she was struck by an automobile driven by a French civilian. The vehicle swerved onto the narrow sidewalk, injuring Mrs. Lague and 4 others. Doris suffered a compound facture of her left leg which ended her military career as a WAC stenographer. She was transported to Army hospitals in North Africa then Charleston, SC then to Cushing General Hospital. According to a Standard-Times article, Mayor Harriman, New Bedford Mayor at the time, stopped by to visit Doris at Cushing General Hospital, while he was visiting his son-in-law.
T5 Henry Lague earned the following medals and awards: Presidential Unit Citation, 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal, American Defense Service medal, Army Good Conduct Medal. While T5 Doris Lague earned the Women’s Army Corps Service Medal (with a service bar signifying that she was one of the first women who signed up), North African Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Their son, SP4 Ronald Lague, entered into the U.S. Army on March 4, 1968 and served in Co. C 1/509th Infantry USAREUR. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. According to his brother Robert, “During the Vietnam War they wouldn’t send a sibling to war. Since I was already in Vietnam, they couldn’t send my brother.” On Feb. 21, 1970, Ronald transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve. His training included: Basic ABN, ATP, Code of Con, Course B Mil. Jus, Gen Conv. and Airborne Training. He earned the following medals and badges: Parachute Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Sharp Shooter M-14 and Marksman M-16. He was discharged on Feb. 21, 1970 at Ford Dix, NJ.
Henry and Doris, both originally from New Bedford, lived most of their lives in Acushnet. Henry worked as a carpenter for Schroeder Construction Co. in Fall River until his retirement in 1978. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Poirier Post 3260, Disabled American Veterans and the American Division Veterans Assoc. Doris worked as a stenographer for the Department of Public Welfare, we well as secretary for Paul Dixon Insurance and Lissack Shoe co. until her retirement in 1981. She was a member of the Fairhaven American Legion Post 166 and the Disabled American Veterans.
Henry and Doris, who were wed on Jan. 16, 1942, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Feb. 1992 at the former Thad’s Steakhouse in New Bedford. Mr. Henry Lague died on Dec., 10, 2002 while Mrs. Doris Lague passed away on July 29, 2010
Ronald Lague, a life-long resident of Acushnet, was employed by Carpenter and Pimental, Inc. as a foreman, until his death on May 15, 1976, at the age of 27, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
Henry and Doris had another son, Robert Lague, who currently resides in Acushnet. Robert, who served in the U.S. Air Force, held the rank of SSGT and served a tour of duty for one year during the Vietnam War. Henry was the brother of the late Roland Lague, Normand Lague, Blanche Bougie, Roger Lague, Yvonne Rivet, Jeanne Tripp and Anna Reusch. Doris was the sister of the late Roland Demers.
Linda Ferreira, a marketing representative at Ashley Ford in New Bedford, researches the life histories of area veterans. Paul Neary, General Manager of the dealership raises the memorial flags on the veterans’ behalf. Those who would like to honor a veteran by flying a flag at Old Glory Tower can contact Ferreira at (508) 996-5611 or at marketing@ashleyfordsales.com
