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HENRY E. LeFEBVRE, COLONEL U.S.A.
(RET)
A native of California, Col LeFebvre was
commissioned a 2nd Lt. of Infantry following graduation from
Officers Candidate School at Ft. Benning Ga. in 1942. He
volunteered for parachute duty and was assigned to the 508th
Parachute Infantry Regiment and went overseas with the regiment in
1943. The regiment was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and
Lt. LeFebvre made the combat jump into Normandy on 6 June 1944. He
subsequently made the combat jump into Holland and served throughout
the rest of WW 11 with the 82nd Airborne in the Ardennes and Central
Europe. Following the war he married his high school sweetheart. He
received a regular Army commission in 1946 and spent the next 24
years in a variety of assignments in Europe, Korea, The Canal Zone
and various posts in the U.S.
He attended the Command and General Staff College
and the Air War College. He received a Bachelor of Science degree
from the University of Maryland and a Master of Arts degree in
International Relations from George Washington University.
He is a master parachutist and his awards and
decorations include The Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster. The
Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star with oak
leaf cluster, The Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the French and
Belgian Fourragére, and The Presidential Unit Citation.
He retired as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Training Center, Ft.
Leonard Wood, Mo.
[Jumpmaster note: this biographical summary was found amongst
Hank's effects after his death. It was probably a standard
form that he submitted when he as invited to speak, etc.] |
Henry E. LeFebvre
1922 - 2010
Updated:
Friday, April 23, 2010 8:56 AM PDT
Colonel Henry E. LeFebvre was born in Oroville, CA.
Hank joined the California National Guard during high school which started
him on a 30 year career in the US Army. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant
of Infantry following graduation from OCS in July 1942.
Colonel LeFebvre volunteered for parachute troops and was assigned
to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) and went overseas to
Europe in December of 1943. He was a Platoon Leader in the parachute
jump into Normandy on D-Day, June 6th 1944. Colonel LeFebvre also made
the parachute jump into Holland and fought in the Battle of the Bulge
and the Central European Campaign.
Returning to the States, Hank was discharged and married Mary Alice
Jones, his high school sweetheart, in February of 1946. They served
in Germany, Ft Monroe, VA, Korea, the Ordnance School, the Pentagon,
the Canal Zone, and they retired from the US Army in January 1970.
Hank is survived by his wife, Mary Alice; his sons, Doug (in Arkansas)
and Jim (in Colorado); his daughters-in- law, CJ & Susan; three grandchildren,
numerous cousins and countless friends.
Hank and Mary Alice traveled to all 7 continents and close to 100 countries,
and gave many programs on their extensive travels to various organizations.
He was a driver in the Meals on Wheels program for about 25 years and
was a Tax Counselor for the elderly for about 8 years. Hank was always
active in sports: Tennis, Squash, Golf, and excelled at each sport with
numerous trophies and honors. Hank was also quite a good joke teller.
Hank passed away quietly in his sleep at home in Balboa, CA.
Services will be held at Christ Church by the Sea, 1400 W. Balboa Blvd,
Newport Beach, CA at 11 AM on May 1st, 2010.
[Jumpmaster note: Hank's remains were
cremated and when Mary Alice passes, the family intends to "mix
their ashes and let them have one more trip to the beach/ocean in
Newport Beach, CA".
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