18Dec1910 – 3Apr1944
Edison Days
Lucien graduated with the Class of 1928. He was an accomplished swimmer who was a two-time letter winner and captain his junior season. He also participated in gymnastics. He was the business manager of the Wizard yearbook. Lucien won a Life-Saving contest as a Boy Scout his 9th grade year!
Scouting, Swim Team captain, advisory Group Captain, may have foreshadowed Lucien’s eventual military career.
Military Service
Rank: Captain
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 151st Field Artillery Battalion – 34th Infantry Division
Lucien joined the Army National Guard around the time he graduated from high school.
In 1937 he was awarded for 10 years of service with the National Guard.
Sometime after, First Seargent Houle became 2nd Lieutenant Houle. The details of his transition from a non-commissioned officer to a commissioned officer are unknown.
While not yet officially involved in World War 2, the U.S. military was preparing for that eventuality. On 10Feb1941, the 151st Field Artillery Battalion was mobilized into Federal service as part of the 34th Infantry Division. Soon after, Lucien and the 151st departed for Camp Claiborne, Louisiana for training and large-scale maneuvers with other Army units.
In August 1941, while at Camp Claiborne, 2nd Lieutenant Houle recommend for promotion to Lieutenant.
Japan attacked the United States on 7Dec1941. The following day, the United Stated declared war against Japan and Germany. Due to the amount of training, they had undergone the previous summer and fall, and because of their excellent performance, the 34th Infantry Division, including Lucien’s 151st Field Artillery Battalion was chosen to be the first American division to embark for Europe.
Leaving Louisiana on New Years Day 1943, they traveled via train to Fort Dix, New Jersey, and then via ship to Belfast, Northern Ireland, arriving on 26Jan1943. The next year 10 months were very busy for Lucien and his unit. From the unit history.
They landed near Cran, Algeria on 3Jan1943. After a short stay near Oran, they arrived at Montagnac where they stated for nearly a month while their equipment and supplied were delivered.
Leaving Montagnac on 7Feb1943, they traveled East along the length of the Atlas Mountains arriving at El Ala on 16Feb1943. The next day, 17Feb1943, Lucien and the 151st were in combat!
The next 2 months were spent fighting near Al Ala, and the Fonduk Pass area. After a short rest and replenishment near Maktar, on 27Apr1943 Lucien and the 151st joined the Battle of Hill 609.
Hill 609 was deemed one of the most difficult objectives in Tunisia, not only protected by steep slopes and artillery but also by fire from nearby high grounds, which gave the Germans a cross-fire on the slopes leading up to it. After 3 days of heavy fighting and over 2,500 wounded and killed, the 34th Infantry Division captured the hill. This battle would be a turning point for the 34th, for Allied forces in Tunisia, and for Lucien personally as well.
Shortly after the battle, Lucian earned a battlefield promotion to Captain.
For his actions at Hill 609, he was awarded the Silver Star medal.
The Silver Star is the 3rd highest award for valor and is presented for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
Silver Star Citation
CAPT. LUCIEN W. HOULE, for gallantry in action in April and May, 1943, on Hill 609 in Tunisia. Capt. Houle was serving as Liaison Officer and was conducting effective artillery fire upon enemy troops, tanks, vehicles, and gun positions. During this time he was constantly under heavy enemy rifle, machine gun, mortar and artillery fire and numerous times was in positions in front of the infantry which his artillery was supporting. With enemy rifle, machine gun, mortar, and artillery shells falling on and around his position, and enemy aircraft bombing and strafing the position, Capt. Houle continued to remain in front of his infantry and conduct effective artillery fire upon the enemy. His conduct, leadership, and attention to duty in the face of grave danger were exemplary and a credit to the armed forces of the United States. Address, 322 University Ave., Northeast, Minneapolis, Minn.
The 151st saw their last combat in Tunisia on 4May1943.
After a period of rest, Lucien and the 151st spent July and August training in Algeria for their next stop, Italy. On 9Sep1943 the 151st landed on the beaches at Salerno, Italy. Less than 2 hours later, the Germans counter attacked. The effective fire from the 151st helped to break the German attack and save the beachhead for the Allies. In a period of just 8 days, the 151st fired more artillery rounds than they did during the entire Tunisian campaign.
The 151st stayed in the thick of the fight. From the unit history.
On 4Apr1944, Captain Lucien Houle was killed in action. The circumstances of his death are unknown.
Lucien is buried at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.
At the time of his death, Captain Lucien Houle was the highest ranked Edison Hero, and also the longest serving member of the military, having joined the Army National Guard in 1927.
Edison Heroes 