Joseph Claude Irene Boisclair

Boot camp at Parris Island. Outposted to base Field Music School.

Transferred to Company D, First Separate Battalion (Reinforced) at New River, NC, on 11 December 1942.

Note: Contemporary newspaper articles claim that Boisclair served as a rifle range instructor at Parris Island, earned an aerial gunner’s wings in April 1943, flew in torpedo bombers in the Pacific, and qualified as a glider pilot. None of these statements are backed up by muster rolls.

Outfit: D/1/24th Marines
Rank: Field Music First Class
MOS: 803 (Field Music)

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank: Field Music First Class
MOS: 803 (Field Music) – runner for Captain Milton G. Cokin
Important Events:
July 7, 1944 – awarded Bronze Star Medal for actions on this date.

For heroic achievement while serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Saipan, Marianas Islands, from June 15 to July 9, 1944. Field Music First Class Boisclair performed his duties as company runner of an assault battalion skillfully and with fearless determination throughout the entire Saipan operation. With the Japanese attempting to infiltrate our lines the night of July 7, he promptly volunteered to carry an important message to an adjacent company and, valiantly pressing forward across the 500-yard open expanse, succeeded in completing his dangerous mission. By his daring initiative and cool courage in the face of extreme peril, Field Music First Class Boisclair contributed materially to the success of our forces in capturing this vital Japanese stronghold.

Campaign Narrative

Outfit: B/1/24th Marines
Rank:Field Music First Class
MOS:803 (Field Music) – runner for Captain Milton G. Cokin
Important Events:
July 30, 1944 – killed in action (gunshot, abdomen) while on a reconnaissance patrol.

Awarded Silver Star Medal for actions on this date.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of a reconnaissance party serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tinian Island, Marianas Group, July 30, 1944. Courageous and aggressive in the face of terrific fire from Japanese guns, Field Music First Class Boisclair rendered valiant service during operations on this strategically important island. Unhesitatingly placing himself between the enemy and his company commander when the reconnaissance party of which he was a member was fired upon by enemy snipers, he opened fire and succeeded in killing five Japanese soldiers before he himself was killed. By his heroic fighting spirit and inspiring conduct, Field Music First Class Boisclair contributed materially to the ultimate success of a vital campaign pointing toward further victories over the Japanese.

Campaign Narrative