Joseph A. Goodreau

SSgt Goudreau is listed in the book, "Indians in the War- Burial of a Brave" 1945.

Staff Sergeant Goudreau was born Fort Yates, North Dakota. He entered service at AUS Fort Snelling, Minnesota on 03 August 1942. He was eventually assigned to the 379th Infantry, 95th Infantry Division, 3rd Army. Renowned for fighting back fierce German counterattacks, the 95th Infantry Division earned the nickname "Iron Men of Metz" for fighting to liberate and defend the town of Metz, France. Ssgt. Goudreau served in European African Middle Eastern Theater.

On 02 February 1945, the 95th Division began moving to the Maastricht area in the Netherlands, and by 14 February 1945, elements were in the line near Meerselo in relief of British units.

On 23 February 1945, the 95th Division was relieved. The 95th assembled near Julich, Germany, on 01 March 1945. It forced the enemy into a pocket near the Hitler Bridge at Uerdingen and cleared the pocket on 05 March 1945, while other Division elements advanced to the Rhine River.

From 12 March 1945, the 95th Division stablished defenses in the vicinity of Neuss, Germany. On 03 April 1945, the Division assembling east of the Rhine River at Beckum, Germany. On 04 April 1945, it launched an attack across the Lippe River and captured Hamm and Kamen, Germany on 06 April 1945.

Mrs. Anna Goudreau, rural Mandan, has received a wire from the War Department informing her of the death of her son, S-Sgt. Joseph Goudreau, 24, who was killed in action in Germany on April 4, 1945. He enlisted shortly after Pearl Harbor, had been overseas for the past year and was with Patton's Third Army. (Reprint- Mandan News)

Ssgt. Goudreau experienced a traumatic event while serving near Hamm and Kamen, Germany which resulted in loss of life