Shirley M. Guidry

Shirley M. Guidry for his service to the United States of America during World War II and for his volunteer work as a community minister to those with special needs in his community. Shirley is the last surviving WWII veteran of the Guidry family. During the War, Shirley was the only French speaker in his unit and became an interpreter with the local populace. A native of Rayne, Louisiana, Shirley spoke only Louisiana French as a child and did not learn English until he began school at 6 years of age. As a teenager, Shirley qualified as a certified welder and began constructing troop carriers in Orange, TX. In 1943 at age 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Camp Shelby, MS where he became an engineer in the 244th Engineer Combat Battalion. After basic training, Shirley and his unit went to England and then to Le Havre, France in late 1944. Later they were at Liege during the Battle of the Bulge. His unit built pontoon and Bailey bridges and laid anti-tank minefields while under continuous enemy fire. In 1945 they crossed the Rhine River into Germany and reached the Elbe River. The European War ended shortly afterwards and Shirley's unit became re- sponsible for hundreds of German POWs. In June 1946 he returned home on a troop ship to the delight of his family. After WWII Shirley married, had a family and in 1976 became a community minister in which he took care of special needs people in his community for the next 39 years. Shirley Guidry has brought great distinction to the Guédry family through his distinguished service during World War II and for his untiring work with those in need in his community.