Amadia Broussard
Funeral services for Amadia Broussard, 100, of Lake Arthur will be held at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Jennings on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, at 9 a.m., with Father Charles McMillin officiating.
A gathering of family and friends will be held beginning today, Tuesday, Aug.21, 2018, from 4-8 p.m., with a rosary recited at 6 p.m. by George LeJeune. Visitation will resume Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, from 8 a.m. until the time of his service at 9 a.m.
Burial will follow with full military rites in St. Anthony Cemetery.
Amadia was born in Morse on July 23, 1918, to Davizan Broussard and Louisianel Dugas Broussard. He was called from this earthly life by his Heavenly Father on Aug. 19, 2018.
Amadia was inducted into the Army on Nov. 19, 1942, and completed his basic training at Camp Adair in Oregon, a new 57,000-acre training camp built within six months following the attack on Pearl Harbor. While there, Amadia was trained on the Browning automatic rifle (M1918 BAR).
On Aug. 27, 1944, he deployed to Europe. Upon his arrival on Sept. 8, 1944, in England, he began preparation for combat duty on the European mainland. During the next 10 months he served in the following battles and campaigns as a member of Company G, 415th Infantry Regiment: Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. On Nov. 4, 1944, Amadia was injured during combat operations in Holland and was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. Private First Class Broussard also earned the following awards and decorations during his service to our country: Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
On Nov. 8, 1945, Amadia was honorably separated from the United States Army at Fort MacArthur, Calif.
Amadia went on to marry his beloved wife, Marcellite St. Germain, and together they raised a son and a daughter. He loved working in his flower beds, mowing his lawn and spending time with all his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
After 70 years, the French came to Louisiana to thank him for his bravery and the role he played in the Liberation of France. On May 31, 2018, Mr. Vincent Sciama, Consul General of France arrived at the Southwest Louisiana Veteran’s Home in Jennings to bestow the highest honor of the French Order of Merit for Military established on May 29, 1802, by Napoleon Bonaparte. This honor is awarded for excellent military conduct following an official investigation. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Amadia is survived by his son, Norman Eugene Broussard (Sherry) of Tellico Plains, Tenn.; his daughter, Faye Adams (Jack) of Welsh; his six grandchildren, Andrew, Bryan, Brieann, Brittany, Jud and Joey; and his seven great-grandchildren, David, Lexi, Kyree, Davin, Bryce, Carter and Kase.
Amadia was preceded in death by his parents, Davizan and Louisinel Broussard; his beloved wife, Marcellite Broussard; and his three brothers, Eddie, Andrew and Felician Broussard.
Carrying Amadia to his final resting place in St. Anthony Cemetery will be Jud Adams, Joey Adams, Davin Adams, Bryce Adams, Jessica Adams and Renee Bertrand. Honorary Pallbearers will be Carter Adams, Kase Adams, David Harris, Andy Broussard and Bryan Broussard.
To extend online condolences, please visit www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net.