Richard E. Neveau
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Richard E. Neveau served in World War II in the European Theater. He served in the U.S. Army from June 26, 1943, until January 21, 1946.
He served under General Patton. He was assigned to E Company, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division, 3rd Army. His rank was Buck Sergeant.
Mr. Neveau was decorated with the: Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, Battle Honors-Bastogne.
Mr. Neveau was born in Proctor, Minnesota, in 1924, the son of Ernest and Yvonne Neveau.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran’s relatives’ account (see below)
Dad hasn’t talked about the war throughout these years except to a few of his six kids sitting around the campfire. He doesn’t consider himself a hero, he is in our eyes and to the nation. Dad says that the real heroes are the ones who didn’t make it home.
Dad entered service on June 26, 1943, attending boot camp at Camp Walters, Texas. He was sent overseas to England, where he met five other soldiers who became friends. Dad maintained a relationship with these veterans as long as they lived. Only he and one friend are alive now.
Dad was in the 3rd Army, 2nd Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division under General Patton. That in itself should speak volumes to the service that Dad has given to his country. “Old Blood and Guts” – our blood, his guts, Dad says. Dad tells us that it was nearly two years to the day going over to Normandy and finally coming home on the Liberty Ships. Dad was in the second wave landing on Utah Beach in Normandy on August 6, 1944. It was at that time that the six buddies were separated. That was to begin his march through the first four major campaigns that carried him through France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, and Austria. We’ve read and seen many movies regarding the incredible job that the 318th was able to accomplish. I can’t even fathom the horror that they have experienced. Dad just shakes his head and the tears come.
He talks about Bastogne—the 101st 82nd Airborne (“what an outfit”), the Ardennes, crossing the Rhine with the boat shot out from under them, Munich, Bavaria, Austria, Luxembourg, and seeing the concentration camps. How ironic that his daughter’s in-laws’ parents were in the camp when Dad came through the area. He talks about how horrible it was to see.
Dad had many very close calls, and he shudders when he speaks of them, but then he shrugs and states, “It just wasn’t my time.” He also speaks of the beauty of the countryside, the mountains, and the joy of the people as the towns were liberated.
Finally, General Patton gave the cease-fire order. How elated the soldiers were—but then they had to turn around and start preparing for the Pacific. Dad truly feels that the bomb dropped in Japan was the only way that this world war was ever going to end.
Dad talked many times about coming back on the Liberty Ship and the horrible storm they encountered. His ship was without communications for 24 hours. He watched with horror as the ship directly behind them was torpedoed and sank, thinking that he’d been through hell the last two years only to die while going home.
A history of the 318th ends with the following: “The Second Battalion, with the remainder of the 318th Regiment, expended 923 tons of ammunition and figured in the capture of 28,170 Nazis. With complete victory and proud of their record, the Second Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, re-pledged themselves to the Blue Ridgers’ motto, ‘The 80th only moves forward.’”
