DAVID A. LABONTE

​Born:
Enlisted:
Tour Duty:​
​Rank:
​Discharged:

​​Tecumseh, Ontario
November 6, 1951
Korea
Corporal
November 16, 1954

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​ “Born in Tecumseh, Ontario, in 1931.  I attended school at St. Antoine’s and High School at Assumption.  I joined the service in November 1951, enlisting in the 1st Battalion R22nd Regiment stationed in Valcartier, Quebec.  

    After basic and advance training we were shipped to Korea.  After about 13 months in Korea, we were returned to Canada.  I then attended Paratroop School and after 6 weeks of training, I became a paratrooper.  Next I became an instructor to recruits for a few months.  I was released from service in November 1954.”

David A. Labonte

   “One of the most memorable experiences was when we were docked in Yokohama Japan for 2 days to take on more supplies and troops.  Our Commanding Officer refused to give us a pass to visit the city, so after dinner about 7pm some R22nd R. members decided to throw a rope over the side of the ship and slide down the rope to a tug docked between our ship and the dock.  After a few went over, it triggered others to do the same and about 200 of us went down before the Officers could stop us.  We ran through the gates and into the city where we visited the city, mostly the bars etc.  We returned to the ship by about 3am.  We were all paraded in front of the Commanding Officer the next day and were all fined one days pay.  It was well worth it as we all had a good time in Yokohama Japan.”
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David A. Labonte

David A. Labonte