December 19+20, 1944
PBM3D Machine # 45224
Duration of flight; 14.8 hours
Character of flight; JZ
J stands for Patrol, Z stands for Special.
Pilot; LT. (D.B.) BADT
Remarks; BLACKCAT + TOMCAT.
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December 24, 1944
PMB3D Machine # 45280
Duration of flight; 6.0 hours
Character of flight; J
J stands for patrol.
Pilot, LT. (D.B.) BADT
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Remarks; Shot down off coast of Negros. Went ashore with Guerillas and other natives. Picked up 6 hours later by PBY. Natives very friendly and hospitable. Should have stayed a week or more.
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December 24, 1944
PBY5A Machine # 48395
Duration of flight; 2.5 hours
Character of flight; Blank space
Pilot, LT. (JG) A.D. Bonnet
Alex Catlow assisted in picking up the crew as indicated on u-tube.
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December 28, 1944
PMB3D, Machine # 48201
Duration of flight; 11.5 hours
Character of flight, J
Pilot, LT. BADT
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PMB3D, Machine # 45336
Duration of flight, 2.0 hours
Character of flight, R.
R stands for Test.
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Source: AVIATORS FLIGHT LOG BOOK
HERMAN S. DEVALCOURT
HEDRON- F. A. W. 8
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UNITED STATES FLEET
COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET

By virtue of the power delegated to me, I take pleasure in awarding in the name of the President of the United States, the Distinguished Flying Cross to:

HERMAN M. S. DE VALCOURT,
AVIATION RADIOMAN SECOND CLASS
U. S. NAVAL RESERVE

CITATION

For distinguishing himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Southwest Pacific Area. During the period from 4 January 1945 to 27 March 1945, he participated in twenty combat missions, over enemy territory in the vicinity of operational enemy airfields, during which enemy opposition was probable and expected. His actions during this period were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.

D Barbey
D. E. BARBEY
Vice Admiral, U. S. Navy,
Commander Seventy Fleet.
Non-Classified Citation.

*******

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in
presenting the GOLD STAR in lieu of a Second Air Medal to

HERMAN MARSHALL STEPHENSON DEVALCOURT
AVIATION RADIOMAN SECOND CLASS
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

"For meritorious achievement in aerial flight as an Aircrewman of a Patrol Bomber in Patrol Bombing Squadron TWENTY in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific War Area from March 30 to April 16, 1945. Participating in five missions during this period, DEVALCOURT contributed materially to the success of his plane. His gallant devotion to duty in the face of grave hazards was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

For the President,
James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

*******
*******

Sabine Index, Many, La., Jul 15, 1992

Herman "Steve" DeValcourt

Funeral services were held at a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, in the Delhomme Bertrand Chapel of the Flowers, for Herman "Steve" DeValcourt, 75, who died at 7:30 a.m., Monday, at his residence. Rev. Floyd Calais, pastor of the Holy Cross Catholic Church, celebrated the mass. Musical selections were rendered by Jodi McCasland, organist and soloist.
Interment followed in the Fountain Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The funeral was under the direction of Delhomme Funeral Home in Lafayette. Mr. DeValcourt was a native of Sunset, the son of the late William DeValcourt, and Estelle Smith. He graduated from Southwestern Institute in 1939. During World War II, Steve served with the U.S. Naval Air Corps in the Pacific Theatre, and was awarded the DFC, 2 Air Medals, Fleet Unit Citation, 6 Battle Stars, AP, and the American Defense Medals. He retired in 1987, after working for thirty years at the U.S.L. Horticulture Farm, as a lab assistant.

When his kids were cutting up too much dad would say: "Dad blame bunch of Billy Goats!"

Mr. H. S. de Valcourt
V.P. 20
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
Post Marked APR 11 A.M. 1944 Grand Coteau, LA
APR 15 A.M. Answered 4/16/44
S.C.J.M. Grand Coteau, La
Easter Sunday
Stamped Fond Easter Greetings
Dear Stephen,
I received both letter and card you sent, and was especially glad of the nice long letter, let me tell you that I sincerely hope that all your guesses come true. I do not know just what you mean, by moving down under and south of here. It would be grand if you did get off for the length of time you mentioned especially the longest. And as to your hopes for Louise, I have thanked God to day for her.
I also had an Easter card from her, with a little word on it, she thanks me for the friendliness I showed her, and announced that she expects to become my sister soon so'..now I have had it from both. But from what she said it sounds like it won't be here. I would like to send her a card, but I have no address, except the postmark of Many. I am wondering if that is sufficient I really meant to ask Mamma if she knew it and it slipped me. I had a big surprise this after noon, I expected Papa and Mamma and Mildred but low and behold, when I was called to the parlor who did I see, but Phil,+ Carl + Carl Jr., Robert and Ivis + Bobbie Lee,+ Jimmy, and Mildred and her Carl, so you see there was a big crowd, Carl has gotten a furlough, and is moving to another place for, he thinks about three months, and then will go across, Phil is staying at home for the present. I hope that he won't have to go across. I suppose that you have herd that Joe had to leave Hattie and little Starline, two weeks ago, they say it was pretty hard on the poor fellow, And little Starline is showing that she is missing him very much. He is at a camp or Tyler Texas. I hope that you have had a very happy Easter, our chapel was really beautiful, with a profusion of roses and ferns. I would like to know just when you will have the matrimonial knot tied, if possible, if not let me know as soon after as possible.
With much love,
Estelle
R.S.C.J.
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Dog Tag or Service number: 4077308

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Dad managed the USL Horticulture farm for about 30 years and so we always had plenty of vegetables to eat. The bulk of the vegetables went to O. K. Allen dining hall on the USL campus and in later years some was sold to Fotis in St. Martinville and possibly to other local grocery stores. Some of the local farmers complained about this and so it had to be curbed.

We would shell peas, cut up corn, okra and other vegetables to put in the freezer for the winter time, so much that I don't even know if we ever got to the bottom of it.
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We would take trips to Many, LA to visit our Grand mother and the trips were pretty long. Dad would at times see the highway workers taking a break and he would holler: "Get to work you lazy bums!" Mama would always reply well honey.
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I understand the dad ran the city water lines to their first house in Many, this would have included the water lines leading up to their house. Brother Stephen told me that Dad also read the water meters for these houses.
Note: I stopped by to see Bob Robinson and he mentioned that the city finally had to change out the water lines that dad ran. This was probably in the 1990's.
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Dad would entertain us sometimes by lifting up his leg to tighten his paints leg, he would then proceed to strike a kitchen match on his leg. We all got a kick out of this.

Note: Dad wanted to be buried where no maintenance would be required on the grave.