Canadian army soldier killed in action near Zwolle, Netherlands at age 25. He was the son of Henri and Aglae Arsenault, of Montreal, Quebec.
Corporal Arsenault was posthumously awarded the Netherlands Bronze Lion, presented to his family on 14 April 1970 by Queen Juliana. The citation reads:
"On the 14 April 1945, Le Regiment de la Chaudiere was deployed on the south and east of Zwolle, Netherlands. During the night 14/15 April, Corporal Arseneault displayed a high standard of bravery, devotion to duty and utmost gallantry, paying the supreme sacrifice.
To ascertain the exact location of enemy defences was necessary in order to save as many Dutch lives as was possible. This gallant Non-Commissioned Officer volunteered to go with another soldier [Private Leo Major] on reconnaissance. Near the town, an enemy outpost was found manned by four Germans. Ordering his companion to take cover, this brave Non-Commissioned Officer charged the position alone, being mortally wounded doing so, but keeping on firing until he had no more ammunition. He personally killed two Germans and wounded another before he died. The enemy outpost was routed and his companion went on alone to finish the task.
The utmost gallantry, personal bravery and high standard of devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Arseneault were an inspiration to all, and were instrumental in the capture of Zwolle on the morning of the 15 April 1945, without a civilian casualty."
Corporal Arsenault was posthumously awarded the Netherlands Bronze Lion, presented to his family on 14 April 1970 by Queen Juliana. The citation reads:
"On the 14 April 1945, Le Regiment de la Chaudiere was deployed on the south and east of Zwolle, Netherlands. During the night 14/15 April, Corporal Arseneault displayed a high standard of bravery, devotion to duty and utmost gallantry, paying the supreme sacrifice.
To ascertain the exact location of enemy defences was necessary in order to save as many Dutch lives as was possible. This gallant Non-Commissioned Officer volunteered to go with another soldier [Private Leo Major] on reconnaissance. Near the town, an enemy outpost was found manned by four Germans. Ordering his companion to take cover, this brave Non-Commissioned Officer charged the position alone, being mortally wounded doing so, but keeping on firing until he had no more ammunition. He personally killed two Germans and wounded another before he died. The enemy outpost was routed and his companion went on alone to finish the task.
The utmost gallantry, personal bravery and high standard of devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Arseneault were an inspiration to all, and were instrumental in the capture of Zwolle on the morning of the 15 April 1945, without a civilian casualty."
Canadian army soldier killed in action near Zwolle, Netherlands at age 25. He was the son of Henri and Aglae Arsenault, of Montreal, Quebec.
Corporal Arsenault was posthumously awarded the Netherlands Bronze Lion, presented to his family on 14 April 1970 by Queen Juliana. The citation reads:
"On the 14 April 1945, Le Regiment de la Chaudiere was deployed on the south and east of Zwolle, Netherlands. During the night 14/15 April, Corporal Arseneault displayed a high standard of bravery, devotion to duty and utmost gallantry, paying the supreme sacrifice.
To ascertain the exact location of enemy defences was necessary in order to save as many Dutch lives as was possible. This gallant Non-Commissioned Officer volunteered to go with another soldier [Private Leo Major] on reconnaissance. Near the town, an enemy outpost was found manned by four Germans. Ordering his companion to take cover, this brave Non-Commissioned Officer charged the position alone, being mortally wounded doing so, but keeping on firing until he had no more ammunition. He personally killed two Germans and wounded another before he died. The enemy outpost was routed and his companion went on alone to finish the task.
The utmost gallantry, personal bravery and high standard of devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Arseneault were an inspiration to all, and were instrumental in the capture of Zwolle on the morning of the 15 April 1945, without a civilian casualty."
Corporal Arsenault was posthumously awarded the Netherlands Bronze Lion, presented to his family on 14 April 1970 by Queen Juliana. The citation reads:
"On the 14 April 1945, Le Regiment de la Chaudiere was deployed on the south and east of Zwolle, Netherlands. During the night 14/15 April, Corporal Arseneault displayed a high standard of bravery, devotion to duty and utmost gallantry, paying the supreme sacrifice.
To ascertain the exact location of enemy defences was necessary in order to save as many Dutch lives as was possible. This gallant Non-Commissioned Officer volunteered to go with another soldier [Private Leo Major] on reconnaissance. Near the town, an enemy outpost was found manned by four Germans. Ordering his companion to take cover, this brave Non-Commissioned Officer charged the position alone, being mortally wounded doing so, but keeping on firing until he had no more ammunition. He personally killed two Germans and wounded another before he died. The enemy outpost was routed and his companion went on alone to finish the task.
The utmost gallantry, personal bravery and high standard of devotion to duty displayed by Corporal Arseneault were an inspiration to all, and were instrumental in the capture of Zwolle on the morning of the 15 April 1945, without a civilian casualty."
Inscription
E.10510 CAPORAL
WILLIE ARSENAULT
LE REGIMENT DE LA CHAUDIÈRE
LE 14 AVRIL 1945
A LA MEMOIRE DE WILLIE
FILS BIEN-AIME
DE M. ET MDE. HENRI ARSENAULT
Gravesite Details
E/10510
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