Joseph Verbis Lafleur

{{Short description|American Catholic Priest, POW, and World War II U.S. Army Chaplain}, Decorated WW II Hero}}

Joseph Verbis Lafleur (January 24, 1912 – September 7, 1944) was a Roman Catholic priest of the Military Ordinariate of the United States who died in the sinking of the SS Shinyo Maru and is in the preliminary stages for sainthood.

Early life
Lafleur was born in 1912 and grew up in rural Louisiana as one of seven children. His father abandoned his family and left his mother to raise their seven children. The mother took odd jobs and grew a garden to feed the impoverished family.

Military service
Lafleur volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army prior to World War II and was serving as a chaplain in the Army Air Corps at Clark Field, the Corps’ post in the Philippines when war broke out. He refused evacuation to safety and stayed with the soldiers under his care. He was captured in May 1942 after the surrender of Corregidor, and spent two years in several Japanese prisoner of war camps ministering to his fellow captives. In September 1944, he and 750 other U.S. military personnel were placed on the hell ship Shinyu Maru to take them to the Japanese homeland. A U.S. submarine attacked the convoy and torpedoed the ship carrying U.S. personnel.

Military awards
As a military chaplain of the U.S. Army, Lafleur received the following awards for heroism:


 * Distinguished Service Cross awarded in 1942.

Citation:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Chaplain) Joseph Verbis LaFleur (ASN: 0-413997), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Chaplain in Headquarters Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (H), FIFTH Air Force, in action against enemy forces during the first Japanese attack on a Philippine Island airport on 8 December 1941. Chaplain LaFleur worked among the wounded, removing them to safety, and comforting the dying. First Lieutenant LaFleur's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces."


 * Distinguished Service Cross awarded in 2017.

Citation:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Chaplain) Joseph Verbis LaFleur (ASN: 0-413997), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism from 30 December 1941 through 7 September 1944. While evading capture aboard the S.S. MAYTON, Chaplain LaFleur was instrumental in saving three men who jumped overboard during an attack from a Japanese bomber. After the three men were rescued, he then assisted Soldiers into lifeboats until he was the last man on the ship, denying his own chance to escape to Australia. As a Prisoner of War after 1 January 1942, Chaplain LaFleur constructed a chapel at the prison camp to minister to men of all faiths. He continuously advocated for food and medicine for the prisoners often intervening on their behalf, resulting in beatings at the hands of his captors. Later, while aboard the "hell ship" SHINYO MARU bound for Japan, he organized distribution of the meager rations allotted to approximately 400 prisoners and was observed giving his rations to others. On 7 September 1944, the submarine U.S.S. PADDLE, believing the ship was transporting Japanese Soldiers, sank the SHINYO MARU. Chaplain LaFleur was last seen aiding prisoners to escape in spite of Japanese guards firing small arms weapons and throwing hand grenades into the ship's hold. Chaplain LaFleur's personal valor and self-sacrifice in the face of grave danger are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the Army of the United States."


 * Bronze Star Medal

Cause of beatification
On September 5, 2020, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana, led by Bishop John Douglas Deshotel, officially opened the cause for his beatification. He is the third candidate for canonization from the Lafayette Diocese, following Auguste Nonco Pelafigue (1888–1977), a layman, and Charlene Richard (1947–1959), a young girl. Pelafigue and Richard's case for sainthood was opened on January the same year.

On June 16, 2021, Archbishop Broglio voiced his support in the cause for the canonization of Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur, saying he hopes it "meets with rapid success!"