Marine from the Greatest Generation passes on

I worked with Bruce when I first started my law enforcement career as a part-time police officer in Hudson Falls.

HUDSON FALLS - Retired Deputy Chief of Police Alan Bruce Manell, 87, of LaCrosse Street, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at the Glens Falls Hospital.Born on Feb. 26, 1922, in Whitehall, N.Y., he was the son of Joseph Eugene and Mary Louise (Robetor) Manell.

He proudly volunteered to serve with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, from October 1942 until November 1945. He was a combat photographer with Marine Corps Intelligence who survived two invasions in the Pacific, the Marshall Islands and Okinawa where he sustained two head wounds in the line of duty and was awarded the Purple Heart. Other awards included: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, NYS Conspicuous Service Cross, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with 2 Stars, Combat Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. He was a past commandant of Memorial Detachment No. 2, Glens Falls Marine Corps League. His World War II experiences were presented on the History Channel for one-half hour, in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Note: Information and photo from Glens Falls Post Star

Dedication

In a change of pace from Vietnam, I have dedicated this post to one from the Greatest Generation, my father-in-law Army St.Sgt. Robert M. LeFebvre age 86, who passed away on Feb. 11, 2009 in Hudson Falls N.Y. He was born in Tupper Lake N.Y. and was a member of Merrills Marauders in Burma during WWII.

Click on to blow up the below newspaper article for better reading.