As a youth Lee studied music and learned piano. He graduated from Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School and won a scholarship to Westminster College.
The hard times of the Depression forced Lee to work and help support his family.
Oddly, even though many people were out of work at that time, musicians could find good jobs. After all, music helps people cope with hard times. Lee however would always regret that he didn't go to college.
Lee joined the Army on 26 July 1943 and served in the 84th Infantry Division. Lee was a member of the Division band. The 84th arrived in England, 1 October 1944, and trained. It landed on Omaha Beach, 1-4 November 1944.
Not much is known about Lee's World War II experience. Some impressive medals and a unit patch are in a small shadowbox on the wall of his son's home.
Lee's medals are:
Bronze Star
Combat Infantry Badge
Presidential Unit Citation
Good Conduct Medal
American Theater Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
European Theater Campaign Medal
Unfortunately copies of his service record with award citations are lost to the ages. On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the Military Records Center in St. Louis destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. Lee's military records were destroyed in that fire.
The story of the 84th Infantry however is a part of the national historic record and includes the following:
During the disastrous early days of the Battle of the Bulge, non-combat soldiers were desperately needed at the front, this included, cooks, clerks, and in Lee's case, band members. Private Sanguinette would have to slog his way across France, Luxembourg, Belgium and eventually Germany as an infantryman.
Battling in snow, sleet, and rain, the Division fought on the north side of the "Bulge" stopping several German attacks. The division recaptured Verdenne, 24-28 December, took Beffe and Devantave, 4-6 January 1945, and seized Laroche, 11 January. By 16 January, the Bulge had been reduced.
[A story told by Lee to his sister in-law Patty Nevins, is that once they had liberated a town, they would put aside their weapons and became band members for a few moments. They would play as the rest of the division marched through town.] After the respite, the instruments were set aside and weapons picked up for the continued attack into Nazi Germany.
As the division advanced into the interior of Germany, its troops uncovered Hannover-Ahlem (April 10, 1945) and Salzwedel (April 14, 1945), both satellite camps of the Neuengamme concentration camp.
[The 84th Infantry Division was admitted and officially recognized as a liberating unit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993.]
After a 5-day respite, the 84th resumed the offensive, taking Gouvy and Beho. On 7 February, the Division assumed responsibility for the Roer River zone, between Linnich and Himmerich, and trained for the river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the Division conducted a dangerous river assault, across the Roer River, and took Boisheim and Dülken, 1 March, crossed the Niers Canal on the 2d, took Krefeld, 3 March, and reached the Rhine by 5 March. The Division trained along the west bank of the river in March.
After crossing the Rhine, 1 April, the Division drove from Lembeck toward Bielefeld in conjunction with the 5th Armored Division, crossing the Weser River to capture Hanover, 10 April. By 13 April, the Division had reached the Elbe, and halted its advance, patrolling along the river. The Russians were contacted at Balow, 2 May 1945. The Division remained on occupation duty in Germany after VE-day, returning to the United States in January 1946 for demobilization.
At the wars end, Lee was back with the band of the 84th Infantry Division. When the division was later presented with a Presidential Unit Citation, President Truman commented that he'd never seen so many combat decorations in a military band before.
Division Casualties:
Killed: 1,235
Wounded: 4,486
Missing: 416
Captured: 424
Private First Class Sanguinette was discharged from the Army on 25 January 1946 and became a renowned pianist in the St. Louis area.
Lee played piano at the Mayfair Room on Sunday evenings.
Lee also worked as a staff musician for KMOX radio. Radio stations and radio programming used to have live music, singing, and large studio audiences. Then KMOX changed the format to all talk, so Lee was out of a daily job.
Lee continued the Sunday evenings at the Mayfair and he had lots of other gigs: the Veiled Prophet organization, Gaslight Square at the Crystal Palace, Buddy Moreno's Band at the Chase, and many of other bands that played various hotels. He also taught organ at Aeolean Music Company. One summer he even played on the great river steamboat, Admiral. Lee also played piano on the St. Louis franchise of the children's television series Romper Room. Another great gig was playing rehearsal piano at the Muny Theater.
Lee was thoughtful and reserved. He was far removed from the flamboyant personalities of many popular musicians. He was well-known and well thought of by his fellow musicians.
After the War, Lee Married Jane Ellis of St. Louis.
A lingering tragedy fell upon the young couple when Jane was diagnosed with Diabetes.
In the 1950's Diabetes was a death sentence. Many of the discoveries and inventions that would eventually save lives had not yet been perfected.
There is a strong possibility for genetic inheritance for the disease, so the couple decided not to have children.
Jane died on May 23, 1955. She was 34 years old. When she died, Lee was 42.
If Lee had plans to never marry, those thoughts would have flitted away when he met Suzanne Standish Brooks.
Suzy was a secretary at KMOX radio where Lee worked.
The age difference between Lee and Suzy was 29 years. This age difference presented quite a bit of worry for the Brooks family. Suzy's mom and dad were younger than Lee.
But it wasn't long before the Brooks family came around and Lee and Suzanne married in May of 1957.
Their first child, Lisa Lee Sanguinette, was born in 1960. She died of what they now call Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Years ago they simply said it was instant pneumonia and that there was no cure for it. It happened on a warm August night. Suzy had given her the 7 o'clock bottle and they had entertained a couple who had come over to see Lisa and bring a baby gift. The death occurred between the 7 and 11 o'clock feedings. Needless to say, both Suzy and Lee were devastated.
Just seven years later Lee would die from a heart attack in 1966.
However, life is not all tragedy. After the death of Lisa, Lee and Suzy had two more children, Gene followed by Noelle. Now there are three college graduate grandchildren.
Family:
Daughter: Lisa
Sister inlaw: Patty (Brooks) Nevins
Special thanks to Patty for providing much of the information about Lee.
The hard times of the Depression forced Lee to work and help support his family.
Oddly, even though many people were out of work at that time, musicians could find good jobs. After all, music helps people cope with hard times. Lee however would always regret that he didn't go to college.
Lee joined the Army on 26 July 1943 and served in the 84th Infantry Division. Lee was a member of the Division band. The 84th arrived in England, 1 October 1944, and trained. It landed on Omaha Beach, 1-4 November 1944.
Not much is known about Lee's World War II experience. Some impressive medals and a unit patch are in a small shadowbox on the wall of his son's home.
Lee's medals are:
Bronze Star
Combat Infantry Badge
Presidential Unit Citation
Good Conduct Medal
American Theater Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
European Theater Campaign Medal
Unfortunately copies of his service record with award citations are lost to the ages. On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the Military Records Center in St. Louis destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. Lee's military records were destroyed in that fire.
The story of the 84th Infantry however is a part of the national historic record and includes the following:
During the disastrous early days of the Battle of the Bulge, non-combat soldiers were desperately needed at the front, this included, cooks, clerks, and in Lee's case, band members. Private Sanguinette would have to slog his way across France, Luxembourg, Belgium and eventually Germany as an infantryman.
Battling in snow, sleet, and rain, the Division fought on the north side of the "Bulge" stopping several German attacks. The division recaptured Verdenne, 24-28 December, took Beffe and Devantave, 4-6 January 1945, and seized Laroche, 11 January. By 16 January, the Bulge had been reduced.
[A story told by Lee to his sister in-law Patty Nevins, is that once they had liberated a town, they would put aside their weapons and became band members for a few moments. They would play as the rest of the division marched through town.] After the respite, the instruments were set aside and weapons picked up for the continued attack into Nazi Germany.
As the division advanced into the interior of Germany, its troops uncovered Hannover-Ahlem (April 10, 1945) and Salzwedel (April 14, 1945), both satellite camps of the Neuengamme concentration camp.
[The 84th Infantry Division was admitted and officially recognized as a liberating unit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993.]
After a 5-day respite, the 84th resumed the offensive, taking Gouvy and Beho. On 7 February, the Division assumed responsibility for the Roer River zone, between Linnich and Himmerich, and trained for the river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the Division conducted a dangerous river assault, across the Roer River, and took Boisheim and Dülken, 1 March, crossed the Niers Canal on the 2d, took Krefeld, 3 March, and reached the Rhine by 5 March. The Division trained along the west bank of the river in March.
After crossing the Rhine, 1 April, the Division drove from Lembeck toward Bielefeld in conjunction with the 5th Armored Division, crossing the Weser River to capture Hanover, 10 April. By 13 April, the Division had reached the Elbe, and halted its advance, patrolling along the river. The Russians were contacted at Balow, 2 May 1945. The Division remained on occupation duty in Germany after VE-day, returning to the United States in January 1946 for demobilization.
At the wars end, Lee was back with the band of the 84th Infantry Division. When the division was later presented with a Presidential Unit Citation, President Truman commented that he'd never seen so many combat decorations in a military band before.
Division Casualties:
Killed: 1,235
Wounded: 4,486
Missing: 416
Captured: 424
Private First Class Sanguinette was discharged from the Army on 25 January 1946 and became a renowned pianist in the St. Louis area.
Lee played piano at the Mayfair Room on Sunday evenings.
Lee also worked as a staff musician for KMOX radio. Radio stations and radio programming used to have live music, singing, and large studio audiences. Then KMOX changed the format to all talk, so Lee was out of a daily job.
Lee continued the Sunday evenings at the Mayfair and he had lots of other gigs: the Veiled Prophet organization, Gaslight Square at the Crystal Palace, Buddy Moreno's Band at the Chase, and many of other bands that played various hotels. He also taught organ at Aeolean Music Company. One summer he even played on the great river steamboat, Admiral. Lee also played piano on the St. Louis franchise of the children's television series Romper Room. Another great gig was playing rehearsal piano at the Muny Theater.
Lee was thoughtful and reserved. He was far removed from the flamboyant personalities of many popular musicians. He was well-known and well thought of by his fellow musicians.
After the War, Lee Married Jane Ellis of St. Louis.
A lingering tragedy fell upon the young couple when Jane was diagnosed with Diabetes.
In the 1950's Diabetes was a death sentence. Many of the discoveries and inventions that would eventually save lives had not yet been perfected.
There is a strong possibility for genetic inheritance for the disease, so the couple decided not to have children.
Jane died on May 23, 1955. She was 34 years old. When she died, Lee was 42.
If Lee had plans to never marry, those thoughts would have flitted away when he met Suzanne Standish Brooks.
Suzy was a secretary at KMOX radio where Lee worked.
The age difference between Lee and Suzy was 29 years. This age difference presented quite a bit of worry for the Brooks family. Suzy's mom and dad were younger than Lee.
But it wasn't long before the Brooks family came around and Lee and Suzanne married in May of 1957.
Their first child, Lisa Lee Sanguinette, was born in 1960. She died of what they now call Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Years ago they simply said it was instant pneumonia and that there was no cure for it. It happened on a warm August night. Suzy had given her the 7 o'clock bottle and they had entertained a couple who had come over to see Lisa and bring a baby gift. The death occurred between the 7 and 11 o'clock feedings. Needless to say, both Suzy and Lee were devastated.
Just seven years later Lee would die from a heart attack in 1966.
However, life is not all tragedy. After the death of Lisa, Lee and Suzy had two more children, Gene followed by Noelle. Now there are three college graduate grandchildren.
Family:
Daughter: Lisa
Sister inlaw: Patty (Brooks) Nevins
Special thanks to Patty for providing much of the information about Lee.
As a youth Lee studied music and learned piano. He graduated from Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School and won a scholarship to Westminster College.
The hard times of the Depression forced Lee to work and help support his family.
Oddly, even though many people were out of work at that time, musicians could find good jobs. After all, music helps people cope with hard times. Lee however would always regret that he didn't go to college.
Lee joined the Army on 26 July 1943 and served in the 84th Infantry Division. Lee was a member of the Division band. The 84th arrived in England, 1 October 1944, and trained. It landed on Omaha Beach, 1-4 November 1944.
Not much is known about Lee's World War II experience. Some impressive medals and a unit patch are in a small shadowbox on the wall of his son's home.
Lee's medals are:
Bronze Star
Combat Infantry Badge
Presidential Unit Citation
Good Conduct Medal
American Theater Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
European Theater Campaign Medal
Unfortunately copies of his service record with award citations are lost to the ages. On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the Military Records Center in St. Louis destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. Lee's military records were destroyed in that fire.
The story of the 84th Infantry however is a part of the national historic record and includes the following:
During the disastrous early days of the Battle of the Bulge, non-combat soldiers were desperately needed at the front, this included, cooks, clerks, and in Lee's case, band members. Private Sanguinette would have to slog his way across France, Luxembourg, Belgium and eventually Germany as an infantryman.
Battling in snow, sleet, and rain, the Division fought on the north side of the "Bulge" stopping several German attacks. The division recaptured Verdenne, 24-28 December, took Beffe and Devantave, 4-6 January 1945, and seized Laroche, 11 January. By 16 January, the Bulge had been reduced.
[A story told by Lee to his sister in-law Patty Nevins, is that once they had liberated a town, they would put aside their weapons and became band members for a few moments. They would play as the rest of the division marched through town.] After the respite, the instruments were set aside and weapons picked up for the continued attack into Nazi Germany.
As the division advanced into the interior of Germany, its troops uncovered Hannover-Ahlem (April 10, 1945) and Salzwedel (April 14, 1945), both satellite camps of the Neuengamme concentration camp.
[The 84th Infantry Division was admitted and officially recognized as a liberating unit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993.]
After a 5-day respite, the 84th resumed the offensive, taking Gouvy and Beho. On 7 February, the Division assumed responsibility for the Roer River zone, between Linnich and Himmerich, and trained for the river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the Division conducted a dangerous river assault, across the Roer River, and took Boisheim and Dülken, 1 March, crossed the Niers Canal on the 2d, took Krefeld, 3 March, and reached the Rhine by 5 March. The Division trained along the west bank of the river in March.
After crossing the Rhine, 1 April, the Division drove from Lembeck toward Bielefeld in conjunction with the 5th Armored Division, crossing the Weser River to capture Hanover, 10 April. By 13 April, the Division had reached the Elbe, and halted its advance, patrolling along the river. The Russians were contacted at Balow, 2 May 1945. The Division remained on occupation duty in Germany after VE-day, returning to the United States in January 1946 for demobilization.
At the wars end, Lee was back with the band of the 84th Infantry Division. When the division was later presented with a Presidential Unit Citation, President Truman commented that he'd never seen so many combat decorations in a military band before.
Division Casualties:
Killed: 1,235
Wounded: 4,486
Missing: 416
Captured: 424
Private First Class Sanguinette was discharged from the Army on 25 January 1946 and became a renowned pianist in the St. Louis area.
Lee played piano at the Mayfair Room on Sunday evenings.
Lee also worked as a staff musician for KMOX radio. Radio stations and radio programming used to have live music, singing, and large studio audiences. Then KMOX changed the format to all talk, so Lee was out of a daily job.
Lee continued the Sunday evenings at the Mayfair and he had lots of other gigs: the Veiled Prophet organization, Gaslight Square at the Crystal Palace, Buddy Moreno's Band at the Chase, and many of other bands that played various hotels. He also taught organ at Aeolean Music Company. One summer he even played on the great river steamboat, Admiral. Lee also played piano on the St. Louis franchise of the children's television series Romper Room. Another great gig was playing rehearsal piano at the Muny Theater.
Lee was thoughtful and reserved. He was far removed from the flamboyant personalities of many popular musicians. He was well-known and well thought of by his fellow musicians.
After the War, Lee Married Jane Ellis of St. Louis.
A lingering tragedy fell upon the young couple when Jane was diagnosed with Diabetes.
In the 1950's Diabetes was a death sentence. Many of the discoveries and inventions that would eventually save lives had not yet been perfected.
There is a strong possibility for genetic inheritance for the disease, so the couple decided not to have children.
Jane died on May 23, 1955. She was 34 years old. When she died, Lee was 42.
If Lee had plans to never marry, those thoughts would have flitted away when he met Suzanne Standish Brooks.
Suzy was a secretary at KMOX radio where Lee worked.
The age difference between Lee and Suzy was 29 years. This age difference presented quite a bit of worry for the Brooks family. Suzy's mom and dad were younger than Lee.
But it wasn't long before the Brooks family came around and Lee and Suzanne married in May of 1957.
Their first child, Lisa Lee Sanguinette, was born in 1960. She died of what they now call Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Years ago they simply said it was instant pneumonia and that there was no cure for it. It happened on a warm August night. Suzy had given her the 7 o'clock bottle and they had entertained a couple who had come over to see Lisa and bring a baby gift. The death occurred between the 7 and 11 o'clock feedings. Needless to say, both Suzy and Lee were devastated.
Just seven years later Lee would die from a heart attack in 1966.
However, life is not all tragedy. After the death of Lisa, Lee and Suzy had two more children, Gene followed by Noelle. Now there are three college graduate grandchildren.
Family:
Daughter: Lisa
Sister inlaw: Patty (Brooks) Nevins
Special thanks to Patty for providing much of the information about Lee.
The hard times of the Depression forced Lee to work and help support his family.
Oddly, even though many people were out of work at that time, musicians could find good jobs. After all, music helps people cope with hard times. Lee however would always regret that he didn't go to college.
Lee joined the Army on 26 July 1943 and served in the 84th Infantry Division. Lee was a member of the Division band. The 84th arrived in England, 1 October 1944, and trained. It landed on Omaha Beach, 1-4 November 1944.
Not much is known about Lee's World War II experience. Some impressive medals and a unit patch are in a small shadowbox on the wall of his son's home.
Lee's medals are:
Bronze Star
Combat Infantry Badge
Presidential Unit Citation
Good Conduct Medal
American Theater Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
European Theater Campaign Medal
Unfortunately copies of his service record with award citations are lost to the ages. On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the Military Records Center in St. Louis destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. Lee's military records were destroyed in that fire.
The story of the 84th Infantry however is a part of the national historic record and includes the following:
During the disastrous early days of the Battle of the Bulge, non-combat soldiers were desperately needed at the front, this included, cooks, clerks, and in Lee's case, band members. Private Sanguinette would have to slog his way across France, Luxembourg, Belgium and eventually Germany as an infantryman.
Battling in snow, sleet, and rain, the Division fought on the north side of the "Bulge" stopping several German attacks. The division recaptured Verdenne, 24-28 December, took Beffe and Devantave, 4-6 January 1945, and seized Laroche, 11 January. By 16 January, the Bulge had been reduced.
[A story told by Lee to his sister in-law Patty Nevins, is that once they had liberated a town, they would put aside their weapons and became band members for a few moments. They would play as the rest of the division marched through town.] After the respite, the instruments were set aside and weapons picked up for the continued attack into Nazi Germany.
As the division advanced into the interior of Germany, its troops uncovered Hannover-Ahlem (April 10, 1945) and Salzwedel (April 14, 1945), both satellite camps of the Neuengamme concentration camp.
[The 84th Infantry Division was admitted and officially recognized as a liberating unit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993.]
After a 5-day respite, the 84th resumed the offensive, taking Gouvy and Beho. On 7 February, the Division assumed responsibility for the Roer River zone, between Linnich and Himmerich, and trained for the river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the Division conducted a dangerous river assault, across the Roer River, and took Boisheim and Dülken, 1 March, crossed the Niers Canal on the 2d, took Krefeld, 3 March, and reached the Rhine by 5 March. The Division trained along the west bank of the river in March.
After crossing the Rhine, 1 April, the Division drove from Lembeck toward Bielefeld in conjunction with the 5th Armored Division, crossing the Weser River to capture Hanover, 10 April. By 13 April, the Division had reached the Elbe, and halted its advance, patrolling along the river. The Russians were contacted at Balow, 2 May 1945. The Division remained on occupation duty in Germany after VE-day, returning to the United States in January 1946 for demobilization.
At the wars end, Lee was back with the band of the 84th Infantry Division. When the division was later presented with a Presidential Unit Citation, President Truman commented that he'd never seen so many combat decorations in a military band before.
Division Casualties:
Killed: 1,235
Wounded: 4,486
Missing: 416
Captured: 424
Private First Class Sanguinette was discharged from the Army on 25 January 1946 and became a renowned pianist in the St. Louis area.
Lee played piano at the Mayfair Room on Sunday evenings.
Lee also worked as a staff musician for KMOX radio. Radio stations and radio programming used to have live music, singing, and large studio audiences. Then KMOX changed the format to all talk, so Lee was out of a daily job.
Lee continued the Sunday evenings at the Mayfair and he had lots of other gigs: the Veiled Prophet organization, Gaslight Square at the Crystal Palace, Buddy Moreno's Band at the Chase, and many of other bands that played various hotels. He also taught organ at Aeolean Music Company. One summer he even played on the great river steamboat, Admiral. Lee also played piano on the St. Louis franchise of the children's television series Romper Room. Another great gig was playing rehearsal piano at the Muny Theater.
Lee was thoughtful and reserved. He was far removed from the flamboyant personalities of many popular musicians. He was well-known and well thought of by his fellow musicians.
After the War, Lee Married Jane Ellis of St. Louis.
A lingering tragedy fell upon the young couple when Jane was diagnosed with Diabetes.
In the 1950's Diabetes was a death sentence. Many of the discoveries and inventions that would eventually save lives had not yet been perfected.
There is a strong possibility for genetic inheritance for the disease, so the couple decided not to have children.
Jane died on May 23, 1955. She was 34 years old. When she died, Lee was 42.
If Lee had plans to never marry, those thoughts would have flitted away when he met Suzanne Standish Brooks.
Suzy was a secretary at KMOX radio where Lee worked.
The age difference between Lee and Suzy was 29 years. This age difference presented quite a bit of worry for the Brooks family. Suzy's mom and dad were younger than Lee.
But it wasn't long before the Brooks family came around and Lee and Suzanne married in May of 1957.
Their first child, Lisa Lee Sanguinette, was born in 1960. She died of what they now call Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Years ago they simply said it was instant pneumonia and that there was no cure for it. It happened on a warm August night. Suzy had given her the 7 o'clock bottle and they had entertained a couple who had come over to see Lisa and bring a baby gift. The death occurred between the 7 and 11 o'clock feedings. Needless to say, both Suzy and Lee were devastated.
Just seven years later Lee would die from a heart attack in 1966.
However, life is not all tragedy. After the death of Lisa, Lee and Suzy had two more children, Gene followed by Noelle. Now there are three college graduate grandchildren.
Family:
Daughter: Lisa
Sister inlaw: Patty (Brooks) Nevins
Special thanks to Patty for providing much of the information about Lee.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
