Honoring Troy’s veterans
Every Sunday through Veteran’s Day, The Record will publish brief profiles of the brave men and women honored by their family and friends with banners hung around Troy through the work of the Troy Military Banner Committee. To honor a veteran, contact the committee by email at troybanners@gmail.comor on Facebook at www.facebook. com.
Donald A. Lajeunesse
Lajeunesse is the son of the late Alcide and Marion Wood Lajeunesse. On August 10,1943, at just 17years of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the destroyer USS Morrison. The ship was named for a former Lansingburgh resident, John G. Morrison, who received the Medal of Honor for his service during the Civil War, and Lajeunesse was proud to say he was coincidentally the only person from Lansingburgh on the ship.
The Morrison was sunk by a “zeke” off the coast of Okinawa after participating in the invasions of Eniwetok, Saipan, Guam and Peleliu Hollande and the liberation of the Philippines. Lajeunesse was one of the few survivors who floated in the shark-infested waters for five hours before being rescued. He tells the story that it was porpoises that saved their lives, fending off the sharks. He explains that crew members used to throw their food scraps off the ship for the porpoises, and the fish always followed the ship.
The ship and its crew members were awarded the Bronze Star for bravery, and Lajeunesse still lives to tell his stories with his youngest son, Philip, and his family in Cropseyville.
David A Lajeunesse
The son of Donald Lajeunesse, David Lajeunesse enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served from 1974-80. After completing boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, Lajeunesse was promoted to private first class in basic training and went on to aviation mechanics school in Memphis, Tennessee. He spent the next two years there as a jet engine mechanic and was promoted through the ranks to sergeant.
Dave was assigned to recruiter school and eventually was stationed in Watertown, Wisconsin, for three years and was promoted to staff sergeant. After six years of service, Dave and his family returned to Troy.