Person ID: I5856888199

Andrew Francis Shea "Buddy" LaBonte'

6 JUL 1918 – 19 NOV 1981

Male

Events

Married: Bet. 1935 and 1959

Buddy is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in VA. on Calvin Coolidge Dr., behind the tomb of the unknown soldier. His 1st wife Dottie is also buried in the grave. Buddy was awarded the Legion of Merit in WWII for rescuing Ambasador to Russi a Joseph Davies and Newsman Eric Sevaried whose plane had crashed in the Himalayas. Buddy was an alcoholic in his adult life. He was married twice. First to Dottie ? who had two children by a 1st marriage, Joany(F)and Jackie(M). Dottie died i n Newark, Del. about 1965 and Buddy married Lura ?. He had a beautiful diamond ring and Lura's son stole it when he died. Legion of Merit Awarded July 17, 1944 (July 20, 1944) Citation: 1st Lieutenant Andrew S LaBonte' 0-453907,S.C. is awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while assigned as a platoon officer of the *** Signal A.W.Co. in Burma from January 194 3 to June 1944. Lt. LaBonte' established a visual observation aircraft warning set in the *** Valley with a measure of efficiency, even in the face of almost insurmountable odds, etc.