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| BATON ROUGE – LSU’s Department of Residential Life and the Honors College will host a Bust Dedication Ceremony and Reception to honor LSU alumna Germaine C. Laville. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 5, at 10:30 a.m. in the East Laville Hall with a reception following in the Grand Salon of the French House. After graduating from LSU in 1942, Laville enlisted as a private in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. She was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C., in December of 1943. Laville served as an aerial gunnery instructor. On June 3, 1944, more than 50 Marines were preparing to change duty shifts when a fire broke out in the building. After just minutes the fire consumed the building; Laville died trying to save the lives of others in the building. Five Marines died and 37 were injured in the fire. Today, LSU honor students reside in both the East and West Laville residence halls named in honor of her service. For more information, contact Mimi Lavalle with the Department of Residential Life at 225-578-8663. CIATATION FOR HEROISM From Marine Corps. Cpl. Germaine C. Laville United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve Cpl. Germaine C. Laville graduated from Louisiana State University in 1942. She later enlisted as a private in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in July 1943. Her brothers were too young to enter the military, and she wanted to contribute to the United States war effort in a direct way. She wanted to enter the Women’s Reserve as soon as possible. Upon completion of boot camp at Camp LeJeune, N.C., in December, 1943, she was ordered to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Laville’s primary duty was as an aerial gunnery instructor in a large two-story structure called the Synthetic Training Building, or STB. On Saturday, June 3, 1944, more than 50 Marines were preparing to change duty shifts in the STB. Nine civilian cleaning men were also at work waxing the floors. At 2:51 p.m., the highly liquid floor wax thrown by a buffing machine hit the worn wires of a flight simulation machine, in effect setting the entire first floor corridor and lobby ablaze. The devastating fire consumed the wooden building within minutes. Five Marines died and 37 were injured. Laville was last seen inside the burning building, where she gave her life trying to help others escape. Laville’s life of 22 years was exemplified by altruistic behavior and devotion to others. Her military service and ultimate sacrifice have become a legend in her hometown of Plaquemine, La., and at LSU. While Laville did not receive a Medal of Honor, she is commemorated for the unselfish patriotic service to her country and her fellow Marines. -30- |
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