LaTray family's eight sons served in nation's military
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This family photo, probably taken in the late 1950's, shows all nine LaTray brothers, part of a large family that once lived in Chinook. From left to right are: Alex; Bud (the oldest); Robert (the youngest); Joe; Ernest; Donald; John; Orville and Harold (the last surviving brother).Eight of the nine brothers served in the U.S. military, four during World War II. All safely returned home from military duty.
Several months ago Shirley Gardipee, a former Chinookian now living in Shelby, told me about the LaTray family that once lived on the north side of Chinook. William and Jenny (Gardipee) LaTray had 18 children, nine were boys. Eight sons served in the U.S. military, four during World War II and all eight safely returned home. The following story of the LaTray son's military service is a reminder of the service of all our veterans during this runup to Veterans Day, 2022. But first, a short history about Veterans Day.
Modern Veterans Day began as Armistice Day
Readers of a certain age may remember when we celebrated Armistice Day on November 11 each year. The November date marked the cessation of fighting of World War I (the 'war to end all wars') in 1918. For two decades Armistice Day was unofficially observed each November 11. In 1938, by an act of Congress, Armistice Day became a national holiday. President Eisenhower, in 1954, made the first official "Veterans Day Proclamation" making the day a wider celebration to honor the service of all military veterans.
A few years later, in an attempt to incorporate certain federal holidays to always be three day weekend holidays, the actual date to observe Veterans Day varied year to year and became very confusing. Long story short, Congress passed a law making Veterans Day (now the official name of the day) officially on November 11. The purpose of Veterans Day now stretches beyond the original celebration of the end of World War I and now recognizes the service of U.S military veterans of all eras.
The LaTray brothers' military service
The nine LaTray brothers were all drafted in to the military. Bud, the oldest, was rejected because of flat feet. The only surviving brother, Harold, said, "Bud tried several times to get in to the military (during WW II) but was always rejected because he failed the physical." Of the four younger boys (John, Alex, Harold and Robert) called up later after WW II, two served in Korea, one in Europe/the Far East and one in Alaska. The younger boys also served in the Army except Alex who was drafted in to the Marines. During World War II Orville, Joe and Donald, all in the Army, served in the European theater. Ernest was in the Far East and Japan.
The only living brother, Harold, is 88-years old and lives in Deer Lodge. I spoke with him by phone and he especially wanted to tell me about his brother Donald who was decorated multiple times for his service during WW II. Harold said, "Donald was a war hero. And his military awards and medals are at the Blaine County Museum." Sam French, Director of the Blaine County Museum, showed me photos of some of Donald LaTray's military medals archived in the Museum. She explained, "We don't really have a secure way to publicly exhibit the medals at this time." She's hopeful for a suitable way to exhibit the medals in the future.
Shirley Gardipee told me about Donald LaTray's military awards and medals. She shared Donald's obituary where his impressive military record was recounted. He served at the Northern France D-Day Campaign, the Luxembourg Campaign, the Battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Germany. He was wounded three times (in battles in France and Luxembourg) during 1944-45, earning the Purple Heart with two Oak Clusters. He also won the Silver Star (awarded for "gallantry facing an armed force"), the Bronze Star (valor for meritorious service) and a number of other awards.
Donald LaTray was born in 1922 and died in 2002 at the age of 80. He entered the Army in 1943 and was discharged in January, 1946, having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. After the war Donald worked for the Anaconda Company at the mines and later retired from the company's smelter operation in Anaconda. He and his wife, Maxine, were married for 53 years.
Special thanks to Shirley Gardipee and Harold LaTray for providing background for this story. It's an inspiring example of many families' contributions to our country's freedoms. Thanks to all the veterans for their service to our country.
