John Paul Boisvenue
Sergeant, U.S. Army

John Paul Boisvenue was born on 28 October 1923, the son of Dominique I. and Leonie Bercier Boisvenue.

In August 1950, Sergeant John Paul Boisvenue was serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in Korea.

On 2 August, SGT Boisvenue's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Chung Chon-ni, Korea. During the battle, the enemy infiltrated the battalion's position and attacked the command post with automatic weapons and small-arms fire. SGT Boisvenue immediately led two men with a light machine-gun in an assault on enemy machine-gun nests. Placing the machine-gun in position, he took grenades and rushed the enemy position and destroyed it. He then attacked a second enemy position with grenades but during the assault he was mortally wounded. SGT Boisvenue's daring and courageous action inspired his comrades who routed the attacking enemy. His extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant John P. Boisvenue (ASN: RA-31403816), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Sergeant Boisvenue distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chung Chon-ni, Korea, on 2 August 1950. On that date, the enemy infiltrated the battalion position and attacked the command post with automatic weapons and small-arms fire. Sergeant Boisvenue immediately led two men with a light machine-gun in an assault on enemy machine-gun nests. Placing the light machine-gun in position, he took grenades and without regard for his own personal safety rushed the enemy position and destroyed it. He again advanced with grenades on a second enemy position but during this assault he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Boisvenue's daring and courageous action inspired his comrades who routed the attacking enemy.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 76 (September 20, 1950)

Burial

Sergeant John Paul Boisvenue is buried at Saint Marys Cemetery in Brandon, Rutland County, VT.

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