Melvin Paul Gamache

1933 - 1953  (19 years)

• Name	Melvin Paul Gamache
  Birth	3 May 1933	Lowell, MIDDLESEX, Massachusetts
  Gender	Male
  Death	23 Feb 1953	KOREA   [1]
  Person ID	I34416	King/Roy
  Last Modified	22 Apr 2023

  
  

  Father	Joseph Raymond Emile Gamache,   b. 11 Apr 1907, Lowell, MIDDLESEX, Massachusetts, d. 28 Dec 1933, Detroit, WAYNE, Michigan (Age 26 years)
  Mother	Hazel Gertrude Shaughnessy,   b. 6 Nov 1908, Nipissing, Ontario CANADA d. 3 Feb 1998, Lowell, MIDDLESEX, Massachusetts (Age 89 years)
  Marriage	1938	Lawrence, ESSEX, Massachusetts
  Family ID	F17193	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 3 May 1933 - Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts Death - 23 Feb 1953 - Korea  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos

  
  

  Documents

  Silver Star Medal Given Hero's Mother Lowell Sun, Tuesday, October 20, 1953 Page 1

  
  

  Histories

  Melvin Gamache Obit Lowell Sun, Friday, February 27, 1953 Page 1

  
  

• Notes

  Melvin Paul Gamache Military Branch: Marine Corps Rank/Grade: Private (PVT) Casualty Group: Hostile - Killed (KIA) Component: Regular Air/Non-Air: Ground Casualty Race: Caucasian Casualty Country: Korea Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Gender: Male Hometown: Lowell , Massachusetts, mother Hazel Gertrude (Shaughnessey) Begen b. 6 Nov 1908 ONTARIO CANADA, d. 3 Feb 1998 Lowell, father unknown Date of birth: May 7, 1933; Date of death: February 23, 1953; The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Melvin Paul Gamache (MCSN: 1137715), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Assistant Automatic Rifleman of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 23 February 1953. When his platoon was subjected to a deadly hail of automatic weapons fire from numerically superior enemy forces while setting up a perimeter defense around a group of tanks well forward of the main line of resistance, Private Gamache bravely exposed himself to the hostile barrage and delivered effective counterfire, greatly aiding in repulsing the enemy attack. Although his squad's position was again attacked and partially overrun, he fearlessly continued to fire his weapons and hurl hand grenades and, as the hostile troops approached within a few yards of either flank, Private Gamache dauntlessly fixed his bayonet and faced the advancing enemy at point-blank range until he fell, mortally wounded. By his outstanding courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty, he served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. Action Date: February 23, 1953 Service: Marine Corps Rank: Private Company: Company B Battalion: 1st Battalion Regiment: 7th Marines Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.

  
  

• Sources

  [S5] Obituary. attached