Born in 1926 in North Adams, Mass. Enlisted in the Army in 1944. Served as Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Airborne Instructor with the 165th Infantry Regiment and 188th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Pacific Theater of Operations followed by occupation duty in Japan. In 1948 he was assigned to the Airborne Department of the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga. where he served as Airborne Instructor and Operations Sergeant.
In 1956 he was assigned to the Korean Military Advisory Group as Operations Advisor and First Sergeant. In 1962, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. where he served as Operations Sergeant and the 82nd Airborne Division's Intelligence Sergeant. In 1965 he was assigned to duty with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Airborne Brigade as Chief Enlisted Advisor. In 1966 he was assigned to the Infantry School where he served as Chief Instructor, Airborne Department until appointed Command Sergeant Major and transferred to the 2d Student Battalion in 1969. In April 1970 he was assigned as Brigade Sergeant Major, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Became Command Sergeant Major of the Infantry School in May 1971. In June 1973 he was assigned Command Sergeant Major of the US Army Training and Doctrine Command. Retired in 1977.
From the description of The John F. LaVoie papers, 1973-1977. (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 23719161
