Howard Paul Demarais

Lilah Crowe2019-12-01T08:43:07-06:00

Name: Howard Paul Demarais
Location of Birth: Bovey, Minnesota
Date of Birth: September 5, 1922
Date of Death: July 5, 2002
Parents: Napoleon Demarais & Rebecca (Prenevost) Demarais
High School and Class: 1940 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
College:
Highest Rank: MM 1 (Machinist's Mate 1st Class Petty Officer)
Branch: Navy
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In: October 27, 1942
Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date of Discharge: March 16, 1946
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:

Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: Howard Paul Demarais
Race: White
Age: 19
Birth Date: September 5, 1922
Birth Place: Bovey, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Coleraine, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: June 30, 1942
Employer: Oliver Iron Mining Co., Coleraine, Itasca, Minnesota
Weight: 180
Height: 5-11
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Other Characteristic: Scar - left cheek
Next of Kin: Mrs. N. L. Demarais

Newspaper article: 1944 – Howard Demarais, son of Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Demarais of Coleraine, has been cited for outstanding service overseas. He has been overseas since November of 1943. The citation was given by the United States Fleet, Advanced Amphibious Base at Dartmouth, Devonshire, England, and reads as follows: “Howard Demarais, MM1/c, U.S.N.R.: You are hereby commended for the exemplary manner in which you performed your duties and responsibilities in connection with the U.S. Naval Forces that participated in the great Allied amphibious assault on the Continent of Europe on June 6, 1944. While perhaps your part was not so spectacular or hazardous as one requiring actual combat with the enemy; and while there was not the same opportunity for personal glory, your part was nevertheless vital to the effectiveness of that assault operation. You performed your duties in a manner outstanding above the normal call of duty during the critical period from D minus 90, through D Day and subsequent thereto. An entry of the above will be made in your service record and a copy of this letter filed in your service record jacket – Philip D. Crockett. Authorized by Commander, Amphibious Bases United Kingdom, letter dated September 15, 1944.”

Newspaper article: July 1945 – "Howard Demarais, MM 1/c USNR, son of Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Demarais, is home on a 32-day furlough. Howard has been doing a bit of traveling and he said he certainly was glad to be home. He has been in Scotland, England, Holland and Germany making almost the same route back again. At Rosneath, Scotland they were issued new clothes, rifles, etc., and left immediately for Tillsbury, London, England. Arrived on the Duke of York and sailed for Ostend, Belgium. From there they traveled by truck to Gooch, Germany. Stayed there overnight and from there went to Hengelo, Holland. Left Holland for Germany to Bremen and then over to Bremerhaven, Germany. While there at the docks, Howard was aboard the Europa. He left Bremerhaven for Bremen where he boarded a plane which flew them to Swinden, England. He stayed in Plymouth for 10 days, went to Rosneath, Scotland and then aboard the Queen Elizabeth to come home. Howard is to report to Chicago when his leave is up."

Wars Involved:
World War II

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
Howard Demarais was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a 32-year member of AA, and was an honorary member of Boystown for his 50+ years of support.

Howard died in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Sec. P, Row 24, Grave 28). He is survived by his wife, Sherry; children, Rebecca (George), Paul, Cindy (Bob), John, Denise (Phil) and Michael; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brothers, Virgil, Richard and Robert; sister, Pauline; and many other friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his first wife Winnie.

Tribal Affiliation(s):