Winchendon man among three locals killed on USS Birmingham

WINCHENDON — On Oct. 24, 1944, the light cruiser USS Birmingham was seriously damaged by explosions while the ship was fighting fires alongside the stricken aircraft carrier USS Princeton. The Princeton was struck by a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands.

The cruiser suffered 239 fatalities and 408 wounded men, and was one of the costliest battles when it came to soldiers from the Greater Gardner area as three were lost in that attack.

Seaman First Class Osias J. LeBlanc of Gardner and Seaman First Class Ernest D. Rod of Otter River were among them, as was Torpedo Man’s Mate Second Class Armand N. Caouette of Winchendon. All were aboard the Birmingham and killed in the attack.

In addition, another local soldier had died tragically two years earlier in a case which

was believed to be friendly fire. Ironically, one day separated those soldiers’ birthdays.

This is the continuation of the series Remembering Local World War II Heroes.

Torpedo man’s mate Second Class Armand N. Caouette (1920-1944)

Armand Noel Caouette was born on Dec. 25, 1920 in Winchendon Springs, the son of Agilas and Marie Anna (Poitras) Caouette. He attended Murdock High School for three years before leaving to enter the work force at White Mills, Inc. in Winchendon Springs.

He enlisted in the Naval Reserves on Feb. 11, 1943 and was in the service at the same time as his only brother, Construction Mechanic Second Class Silvio M. Caouette. Silvio would serve in the Seabees in the Pacific area.

Armand Caouette was killed in action in the Battle of Leyte in the Pacific area of the Philippines on Oct. 25, 1944 and lost at sea at the age of 23.

More: Two Winchendon men perished on the USS Drexler

A short time after his brother’s death, his younger brother Silvio penned a heartbreaking letter to his mother, sent from “somewhere in the Pacific:”

“My dear Mother:

A very long time ago my teacher told me in school, I say told me, because I have always remembered it so vividly, that letters of condolence are the hardest of all to write. I realized then, what an ordeal it would be and heartily hoped that I would never have to write one.

Today I received your letter telling me of my only brother's death, the only brother I had left. When the first grief had passed, I thought of you and how difficult and strained the situation must be for you. I realized then that I must try to console you with a letter, the type of letter that I have dreaded to write since my school days.

But as I think of you now, the words flow easily because the real grief isn't mine, but yours. And I know that the only comfort you can find lies in the children you have left, and I want to reassure my return, not only physical but mental and spiritual if you wish. But words are so empty. Especially that plunge masses and common people into unhappy positions to merely benefit the coffers of a few in power.

They speak of just and unjust wars, there are no just wars. Yet when our country is endangered, all the men respond and go off to war – with but one idea in their minds, to get it over as soon as possible in order to get back to the life they love and the ones they love.

But the toll of war is heavy, and tho’ I don't place any pride in the fact that my own brothers died during it, I resign myself that he was one of the unfortunate ones who had to make the supreme sacrifice so that others might live in peace and enjoy the happiness of a life wholly unstained by iron handed dictators.

I can't ask you to be patriotic about it but there is consolation in the fact that my brother died for the ones and for the things that everyone loves. It is a better death than accidental or carelessness in civilian life. I know that he received a mass requiem at sea. It is a better death. It is by far a better funeral than one in a church with well-wishing friends making it harder for you and the rest of the family; that is the only solace I can offer you for your not being able to see him.

I have been hard, perhaps harsh with you in this letter, mother, but I am not one for speeches. And some time a sharp word can do more good than weak acquiescence to a sorrowful plight.

Be assured, mother, that you will see joy, again in the afterlife, and bear up under these unnatural circumstances as he would have wanted you to. Mother I am feeling fine and will soon be back.

Your only devoted son left, Silvio Caouette CM 2/c.”

In addition to his parents and brother, Armand Caouette was also survived by four sisters, Rose LaFortune, Lucienne Smith, Rolande Caouette and Anna Amelia Carpenter.

Torpedo Man’s Mate Second Class Caouette’s name is listed on family plot in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon.

Pvt. Raymond A. Bourgault (1916-1942)

Alphonse Raymond Bourgault was born on Dec. 24, 1916 to Louis and Ernestine (Belanger) Bourgault. He was a member of a large family as his parents would have a total of 13 children, and lived at 38 Mechanic St.

The family lost two children in infancy, 1-year-old Wilfred and 5-year-old Francis, who died before Raymond was born. He also had five brothers, Henry, Maurice, Cleo, Francis and Arthur, and five sisters Louise, Josephine, Rose, Alice and Ida.

Raymond graduated from Murdock High School in 1935 where he had been president of the freshman class and also played basketball. After graduation, he took a job with the General Box Company.

He enlisted in the service before the start of World War II on March 10, 1941, with Co. F of the 181st Infantry and was stationed at Camp Edwards.

In May of 1942 he was transferred to Camp High Pine in Maine which, from 1942-43 was an Infantry coastal defense base camp, located at a former boarding school. Home to Company F of the 181st Infantry Regiment, they patrolled the coast between Kennebunk and York Harbor.

Bourgault came home in mid-July where he was on a furlough visiting with his family.

A tragedy occurred there on Aug. 7, 1942 when 25-year-old Private Bourgault was accidentally shot and killed by a member of his own platoon while on maneuvers. As a result, he became the very first Winchendon resident to be a fatality of World War II.

He was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Winchendon.

Comments and suggestions for Remembering Local World War II Heroes can be sent to Mike Richard at mikerichard0725@gmail.com or in writing to Mike Richard, 92 Boardley Road, Sandwich, MA 02563.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Winchendon man killed on USS Birmingham; another died in friendly fire