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French Speaking Cajun Soldiers in WWII...
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:09 pm
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:09 pm
I find this very interesting and look forward to the completed book...
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As youngsters, they were forbidden from speaking French at school. As adults, those south Louisiana children went on to help win World War II. And Jason Theriot wants to tell their stories.
Theriot, a historian and environmental consultant who grew up in New Iberia, is trying to find Cajun and Creole servicemen or women whose fluency in French came in useful during the war. If families have letters or recordings about that from deceased veterans, he also wants those for a book he’s writing.
Now Theriot wants to record in his book more experiences of these veterans, either in person or from their families, to preserve the stories. He has funding to transcribe recordings but needs to get them done by January. Contact Theriot at (713) 417-3380 or jpriot@hotmail.com.
Cajun Frenchies in WWII
------------------------------------
As youngsters, they were forbidden from speaking French at school. As adults, those south Louisiana children went on to help win World War II. And Jason Theriot wants to tell their stories.
Theriot, a historian and environmental consultant who grew up in New Iberia, is trying to find Cajun and Creole servicemen or women whose fluency in French came in useful during the war. If families have letters or recordings about that from deceased veterans, he also wants those for a book he’s writing.
Now Theriot wants to record in his book more experiences of these veterans, either in person or from their families, to preserve the stories. He has funding to transcribe recordings but needs to get them done by January. Contact Theriot at (713) 417-3380 or jpriot@hotmail.com.
Cajun Frenchies in WWII
30
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:13 pm to WWII Collector
I know the descendants of a few. Will follow up with the kinks you provided, OP.
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:20 pm to WWII Collector
Both of my grandfathers' first language was Cajun French and both fought in Europe. I have no idea if helped them or not.
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:28 pm to Brosef Stalin
I met Jason a handful of times and read his book on the history of oil and gas in Louisiana. He is thorough with his research, and I will be interested in reading this book when it comes out.
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:32 pm to WWII Collector
The medic from band of brothers was half Cajun if I remember correctly
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:35 pm to Brosef Stalin
I can see French speaking Cajuns being of extra value while traveling through France... Expecially when dealing with the Resistance...
I tell ya... I love WWII letters home and to soldiers from back then... I have a few...
Most times these things end up being sold to people that buy them all and they split them up on EBay... Because the family just doesn't have interest any more.... I bought some one time.. Even tried to get them back to the family.. Turns out it was the family that sold them first.
shameless plug - If anyone ever had a letter home from a soldier/sailor from WWII, I would pay and make sure it gets a good solid home...
I wish it was easier to post picture here... I would share a few of the letters and things that I have.
I tell ya... I love WWII letters home and to soldiers from back then... I have a few...
Most times these things end up being sold to people that buy them all and they split them up on EBay... Because the family just doesn't have interest any more.... I bought some one time.. Even tried to get them back to the family.. Turns out it was the family that sold them first.
shameless plug - If anyone ever had a letter home from a soldier/sailor from WWII, I would pay and make sure it gets a good solid home...
I wish it was easier to post picture here... I would share a few of the letters and things that I have.
This post was edited on 11/22/19 at 10:39 pm
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:45 pm to OldmanBeasley
quote:Eugene Roe from Bayou Chene. He lived out his life in BR.
The medic from band of brothers was half Cajun if I remember correctly
Cajun French is basically an antiquated version of the French language, which includes a lot of slang. I've heard stories that Cajun soldiers were thought of as hicks by the French, but I've never spoken to one personally.
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:46 pm to WWII Collector
Anyone remember the show Combat! with Vic Morrow? That character “Caje” was supposed to be a Cajun who was the units unofficial French translator. The actor who played him was actually French Canadian, and apparently a world-class skier. 
Just like all other Cajuns.
Just like all other Cajuns.
Posted on 11/22/19 at 10:54 pm to WWII Collector
He should contact the Regional Military Museum in Houma if he hasn’t already.
The should have someone that can help him find some information.
The should have someone that can help him find some information.
Posted on 11/23/19 at 12:07 am to blueboy
quote:
I've heard stories that Cajun soldiers were thought of as hicks by the French
The french spoken in the french country side is more like Louisiana French than what they speak in Paris.
I have a minor in standard as well as Cajun.
If anything, Cajun French is more difficult to learn because it has all the rules of standard French, with words that haven't seen common usage in 100 plus years.
To hear it spoken well is a moving moment for those who understand it is dying.
I have a few interviews recorded for LSU in their archives. Bruce Daigrepont being one of them. But his dialect is much more Creole than Cajun... Just because his family is old New Orleans.
This post was edited on 11/23/19 at 12:09 am
Posted on 11/23/19 at 12:17 am to WWII Collector
My great uncle passed away two weeks ago. We are Cajuns from Avoyelles parish who speak fluent french & he was a WWII veteran. I also had 4 other great uncles who also served in WWII.
Posted on 11/23/19 at 12:22 am to X123F45
It's been a long time now, but to hear an old cajun talking fast and hot doesn't sound like anything else I've heard.
Posted on 11/23/19 at 12:30 am to OldmanBeasley
quote:
The medic from band of brothers was half Cajun if I remember correctly
I think he was born and raised in Bayou Chene.
Posted on 11/23/19 at 12:34 am to X123F45
quote:
Bruce Daigrepont being one of them. But his dialect is much more Creole than Cajun... Just because his family is old New Orleans.
I grew up with Bruce in New Orleans, but his parents were from Avoyolles Parish.
Posted on 11/23/19 at 12:41 am to WWII Collector
My dad learned french at LSU..During the war he was transferred to the french army as a translator..Better than where he was in north Africa in the tanks waiting to get killed. He would go into the towns and gather the french prostitutes for the GI's..He said those women smelled pretty bad. He had some good stories..
Posted on 11/23/19 at 1:03 am to WWII Collector
i fricking hate the dumbass politicians in this state that promoted killing off cajun french
frick them
my dad could have learned french from my grandmother and in-turn taught me
frick them
my dad could have learned french from my grandmother and in-turn taught me
Posted on 11/23/19 at 5:08 am to WWII Collector
That’s awesome. Someone needs to post this on Reddit
Posted on 11/23/19 at 5:14 am to WWII Collector
I saw a very good documentary about this on PBS a number of years ago. A fair number of Cajun speakers found their way into the OSS.
Posted on 11/23/19 at 5:42 am to Cold Drink
Same for one of my Grandfathers. I don’t recall many stories. All I do remember was the general story about how it was odd for an American to speak French to the folks there and the differences in the dialect. Maybe my dad has more stories about his father. It’s great that this guy is researching to preserve history. But I am afraid he is 20 years too late to hear anything firsthand. The number of WW2 vets now has to be small.
Posted on 11/23/19 at 6:11 am to CFFO
My father served in France during World War II and French was his 1st language as a child. Lafourche Parish. Hes now been gone a number of years. He was in his 90's when he passed. This research may be starting about 15 years too late.
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