Kerouac Connections – Meet Cousin Hervé – (PIP #43)

By Louise Peloquin

     “Leo with Louis at L’Etoile, 3rd peek into the past, posted on October 5, 2023, presented Jack’s father. See the link.

This October, let’s meet Jack’s 1st cousin Hervé – another French-speaking Franco-American from Lowell, an adventurer, a brave man with a radiant smile and ties with St. Jean-Baptiste Church.

L’Etoile, July 13, 1944 

Hervé Kérouac is in France (1)

     Yesterday, Mrs. Léontine Kérouac, 86 School Street, received the second letter from her son, soldier Hervé Kérouac since his arrival in France on June 20th. In his last missive, he does not specify which French villages he visited but he says that “not for all the gold in the world” would he exchange his experience.

     The only member of his regiment to speak French, soldier Kérouac is very happy with the services he can render to his superiors and with the friendships brought about by the knowledge of his mother tongue.

     In the army since October 14th 1943, he completed his preliminary military training at Camp Croft in South Carolina then at Fort Meade, Maryland. He spent two months in England before crossing over into Normandy.

L’Etoile, October 26, 1944

Decoration for Soldier Kérouac

     The Bronze Medal with honorable mention was awarded to soldier first class Hervé Kérouac, member of the United States infantry, for heroism in action “somewhere” in France. Soldier Kérouac received this important decoration at the beginning of October but was not free to reveal the acts which distinguished him in combat.

     This young soldier, son of Mrs. Léontine Kérouac, 86 School Street, went to France on June 20th and arrived in Normandy. In his letters, he mentions many important cities visited during the course of his expeditions, among them Le Mans, Alençon, Coutouche, Reims. However, he only saw this city’s imposing cathedral from a distance.

Hervé enrolled in October 1943 and completed his training at Camp Croft, South Carolina and then went to Fort Meade, Maryland before crossing over to England. He is a former student of our parochial schools and ex-cantor of the Great Choir of Saint-Jean-Baptiste where he was popular.

L’Etoile, November 28, 1944

Soldier First Class Hervé Kérouac, wounded in action in France

     Mrs. Léontine Kérouac, 86 School Street, has just learned by telegram that her son, soldier first class Hervé Kérouac, received minor woulds in combat in France on November 12th.

     Soldier Kérouac enrolled in October 1943, completed his training at Camp Croft, South Carolina and at Fort Meade Maryland. Last month, he was awarded the Bronze Medal for bravery in action. (2)

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1. The articles in L’Etoile print Kérouac with an accent.
2. Translations by Louise Peloquin.