Military Honors

Lt. Rev. J. Verbis Lafleur’s heroism during WWII is distinguished by four of the highest of U.S. Military Honors.

Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur (1912-1944) was the recipient of five military medals. In 1942, Father was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Award and Purple Heart Award in for valor. In 2017, Fr. Lafleur posthumously received the Purple Heart Medal for a second time, the Bronze Medal, and the Distinguished Service Cross award for a second time, a rare occurrence.

Medals of Honor | Lt. Rev. J. Verbis Lafleur

  • Distinguished Service Cross Award | 1942 | For Valor | Father Verbis Lafleur | Military Chaplain & Catholic Priest

    Distinguished Service Cross | 1942

    The Distinguished Service Medal, the U.S. Military’s second highest award behind only the Medal of Honor, is presented for exceptionally meritorious performance of duty.

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  • Purple Heart Award | 1942

    The Purple Heart is awarded to military personnel wounded or killed in action. It is a solemn distinction indicating a service member greatly sacrificed his life while in the line of duty.

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  • Distinguished Service Cross Military Award | 2017 | For Valor | Father Verbis Lafleur | Military Chaplain & Catholic Priest

    Distinguished Service Cross | 2017

    The Distinguished Service Medal, the U.S. Military’s second highest award behind only the Medal of Honor, is presented for exceptionally meritorious performance of duty.

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  • Purple Heart Military Award | 2017 | For Valor | Father Verbis Lafleur | Military Chaplain & Catholic Priest

    Purple Heart | 2017

    The Purple Heart is awarded to military personnel wounded or killed in action. It is a solemn distinction indicating a service member greatly sacrificed his life while in the line of duty.

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  • Bronze Award | Father Verbis Lafleur | Military Chaplain & Catholic Priest

    Bronze Award

    The Bronze Star Medal, the fourth-highest ranking award, is presented to service members for a heroic deed performed in combat. It is a signal of their sacrifice, bravery and honor.

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Distinguished Service Cross Certificate

Distinguished Service Cross Certificate

Distinguished Service Cross Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Medal

Purple Heart Certificate

Purple Heart Certificate

Purple Heart Medal

Purple Heart Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Certificate | Franklin D. Roosevelt's Message

Distinguished Service Cross Certificate | Franklin D. Roosevelt's Message

  • "The world needs such an example justice, charity, and everything that made Father Lafleur the outstanding priest and chaplain he was. We particularly need such examples in the American military."

    — Philip M. Hannan | Archbishop Emeritus of New Orleans, LA

  • "Father Lafleur's life is bound to inspire both young and old. He presents as a remarkable priest, living his vocation, while serving his people in an extraordinary way to the very end... and beyond."

    — Lawrence LeLeux | St. Francis of Assisi Religious Goods | Houston, TX

  • "Having been a member of the military service for over thirty years, and served overseas in the Philippine Islands, Korea, Vietnam, and several other countries as a military lawyer and judge, I happily take this opportunity to say that I have never heard of a more devoted person to the United States Army, as well as his Church, than Father Verbis Lafleur— only the words 'hero' and 'devotion' come to mind."

    — Jack Crouchet | Colonel, U.S. Army

  • "In a time when so many, both within the Church and society, are searching for role models, the life and death of Father Verbis Lafleur provides a splendid example of courageous faith and heroic civic virtues. No doubt, all who learn of him will be inspired to live the Catholic faith with deeper commitment and service for the common good. He is a testiment to God's timeless grace."

    — Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond | Archbishop of New Orleans, LA

  • "Father Joseph— one who had a heart full of faith— is one of America's greatest heroes."

    — Elbert Lee Guillory | State Senator, Louisiana, USA

  • "Father Verbis Lafleur exemplifies anew the noble words of Our Divine Savior, 'Behold, I come to do Your Will, O God.' All who learn of him will be inspired to emulate the generosity of a priest whose resolute service in the military led to the supreme sacrifice."

    — Rev. Monsignor Jeff DeBlanc, Jr. | Diocese of Lafayette, LA

  • "It has been said 'a little light goes a long way.' Father Joseph Verbis Lafleur is the 'light' that helped many U.S. Military Men navigate the dark rooms within themselves as they endured being prisoners of World War II. Fr. Lafleur's story is one of the rare ones that change the way you think about everything— he is as close to anything we now have to a definition of the real character of a Blessed Saint."

    — Harold J. Arata | Colonel, USAF

  • "Father Lafleur meets all my criteria for patriotism and serves as a role model for all who seek to serve their country in a multi-dimensional role."

    — Dr. Billy R. Reagan | Radaman Second Class, USN / Superintendent of Houston, TX Schools

  • "The outstanding heroism of Father Lafleur is a remarkable chapter in the outstanding service our military clergy performs on our battlefields as they unselfishly and bravely minister to our wounded and our dead."

    — Johnny Rayond | Lietenant Colonel, U.S. Army

  • "Truly, Father Lafleur lived a heroic life dedicated to God, his Church, country, and family."

    — Rev. Monsignor John G. Fitzgerald | California, USA

  • "Father J. Verbis Lafleur physically embraced his fellow prisoners-of-war while ministering the spiritual words of God to those who were saved and continued the same passion with those he followed in death."

    — Lincoln “Link” Savoie | Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army

  • "... it is our charge to do everything possible to bring to pass this petition that has been handed to us— that ultimately Father Lafleur be declared a saint... In my opinion, he certainly does have all the qualities necessary to become a Saint."

    — Philip M. Hannan | Archbishop Emeritus of New Orleans, LA