Reverend John B.DeValles,was born on August 29,1878 in Son Miguel, Azores, Portugal.
In the early 1880's his family immigrated to the United States,making their home in New Bedford,Massachusetts.
He attended all of the local schools while growing up and went to college. After he completed college he entered the seminary and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1906.
He played the violin and spoke six different languages fluently. He opened the first Portuguese parochial school in Fall River, Massachusetts. Which after his death changed it's name to honor him.
He first served at Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, then St.John The Baptist Church. What he wanted most was to serve the soldiers. He received permission to become a Chaplin for the Knights Of Columbus Chaplin's Corps.
He was appointed Chaplin in 1917 to serve with the 104th Regiment of the 26th Division.Also known as "The Yankee Division". He was 1st Lieutenant, and was the first of five priests to serve overseas at that time.
While serving in France during WWI,he gave his spiritual assistance to all men. Even if a German soldier required it.
He was considered a hero by all and was given the nickname as "The Angel Of The Trenches". Who during even the harshest of battles would go out into the field to help retrieve a wounded soldier or keep watch over the ones who lay dying.
For a man who's heart which is filled of good had to have found it so hard to watch such horrors taking place.
It was written that he had cursed one day as he stood in silence as carts full of the dead from the 104th were taken away.(After all he is only human).He prayed that this all will end.I can not write what was said, but it was said out of great pain as you can imagine.
In 1919 wounded himself, and sick from the effects of the mustard gas, he was sent home. Where for the next few months he was in and out of hospitals until his death on May 12,1920.
Father DeValles was buried in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery near his home. He was buried with full military honors. All of the local towns hung their flags at half staff.
One year later a large monument was erected in memory of him.
He was awarded:The Distinguished Service Cross-for bravery.
The French de Guerre, Legion of Honor.
And the American Distinguished Service Cross.
His uniform, medals and even his violin were given to the Knights Of Columbus Museum by his family.
A selfless person, an honorable man.
In the early 1880's his family immigrated to the United States,making their home in New Bedford,Massachusetts.
He attended all of the local schools while growing up and went to college. After he completed college he entered the seminary and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1906.
He played the violin and spoke six different languages fluently. He opened the first Portuguese parochial school in Fall River, Massachusetts. Which after his death changed it's name to honor him.
He first served at Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, then St.John The Baptist Church. What he wanted most was to serve the soldiers. He received permission to become a Chaplin for the Knights Of Columbus Chaplin's Corps.
He was appointed Chaplin in 1917 to serve with the 104th Regiment of the 26th Division.Also known as "The Yankee Division". He was 1st Lieutenant, and was the first of five priests to serve overseas at that time.
While serving in France during WWI,he gave his spiritual assistance to all men. Even if a German soldier required it.
He was considered a hero by all and was given the nickname as "The Angel Of The Trenches". Who during even the harshest of battles would go out into the field to help retrieve a wounded soldier or keep watch over the ones who lay dying.
For a man who's heart which is filled of good had to have found it so hard to watch such horrors taking place.
It was written that he had cursed one day as he stood in silence as carts full of the dead from the 104th were taken away.(After all he is only human).He prayed that this all will end.I can not write what was said, but it was said out of great pain as you can imagine.
In 1919 wounded himself, and sick from the effects of the mustard gas, he was sent home. Where for the next few months he was in and out of hospitals until his death on May 12,1920.
Father DeValles was buried in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery near his home. He was buried with full military honors. All of the local towns hung their flags at half staff.
One year later a large monument was erected in memory of him.
He was awarded:The Distinguished Service Cross-for bravery.
The French de Guerre, Legion of Honor.
And the American Distinguished Service Cross.
His uniform, medals and even his violin were given to the Knights Of Columbus Museum by his family.
A selfless person, an honorable man.
Reverend John B.DeValles,was born on August 29,1878 in Son Miguel, Azores, Portugal.
In the early 1880's his family immigrated to the United States,making their home in New Bedford,Massachusetts.
He attended all of the local schools while growing up and went to college. After he completed college he entered the seminary and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1906.
He played the violin and spoke six different languages fluently. He opened the first Portuguese parochial school in Fall River, Massachusetts. Which after his death changed it's name to honor him.
He first served at Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, then St.John The Baptist Church. What he wanted most was to serve the soldiers. He received permission to become a Chaplin for the Knights Of Columbus Chaplin's Corps.
He was appointed Chaplin in 1917 to serve with the 104th Regiment of the 26th Division.Also known as "The Yankee Division". He was 1st Lieutenant, and was the first of five priests to serve overseas at that time.
While serving in France during WWI,he gave his spiritual assistance to all men. Even if a German soldier required it.
He was considered a hero by all and was given the nickname as "The Angel Of The Trenches". Who during even the harshest of battles would go out into the field to help retrieve a wounded soldier or keep watch over the ones who lay dying.
For a man who's heart which is filled of good had to have found it so hard to watch such horrors taking place.
It was written that he had cursed one day as he stood in silence as carts full of the dead from the 104th were taken away.(After all he is only human).He prayed that this all will end.I can not write what was said, but it was said out of great pain as you can imagine.
In 1919 wounded himself, and sick from the effects of the mustard gas, he was sent home. Where for the next few months he was in and out of hospitals until his death on May 12,1920.
Father DeValles was buried in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery near his home. He was buried with full military honors. All of the local towns hung their flags at half staff.
One year later a large monument was erected in memory of him.
He was awarded:The Distinguished Service Cross-for bravery.
The French de Guerre, Legion of Honor.
And the American Distinguished Service Cross.
His uniform, medals and even his violin were given to the Knights Of Columbus Museum by his family.
A selfless person, an honorable man.
In the early 1880's his family immigrated to the United States,making their home in New Bedford,Massachusetts.
He attended all of the local schools while growing up and went to college. After he completed college he entered the seminary and was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1906.
He played the violin and spoke six different languages fluently. He opened the first Portuguese parochial school in Fall River, Massachusetts. Which after his death changed it's name to honor him.
He first served at Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, then St.John The Baptist Church. What he wanted most was to serve the soldiers. He received permission to become a Chaplin for the Knights Of Columbus Chaplin's Corps.
He was appointed Chaplin in 1917 to serve with the 104th Regiment of the 26th Division.Also known as "The Yankee Division". He was 1st Lieutenant, and was the first of five priests to serve overseas at that time.
While serving in France during WWI,he gave his spiritual assistance to all men. Even if a German soldier required it.
He was considered a hero by all and was given the nickname as "The Angel Of The Trenches". Who during even the harshest of battles would go out into the field to help retrieve a wounded soldier or keep watch over the ones who lay dying.
For a man who's heart which is filled of good had to have found it so hard to watch such horrors taking place.
It was written that he had cursed one day as he stood in silence as carts full of the dead from the 104th were taken away.(After all he is only human).He prayed that this all will end.I can not write what was said, but it was said out of great pain as you can imagine.
In 1919 wounded himself, and sick from the effects of the mustard gas, he was sent home. Where for the next few months he was in and out of hospitals until his death on May 12,1920.
Father DeValles was buried in the Saint Patrick's Cemetery near his home. He was buried with full military honors. All of the local towns hung their flags at half staff.
One year later a large monument was erected in memory of him.
He was awarded:The Distinguished Service Cross-for bravery.
The French de Guerre, Legion of Honor.
And the American Distinguished Service Cross.
His uniform, medals and even his violin were given to the Knights Of Columbus Museum by his family.
A selfless person, an honorable man.
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