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Although born in Massachusetts, <em>Leonard C. Godfray</em> and his family moved to Providence, Rhode Island where he spent his early youth. On graduation from high school, he attended Brown University for a year. While at Brown he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy from the Army National Guard of Rhode Island.</p>
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Entering the Military Academy July 1932, he soon became active in the sports he liked. As an ardent and able ice hockey player, he played on the “H” Company intramural team for three years; had it not been for an injured shoulder, he would probably have made the intercollegiate hockey squad. Besides this, he was on the track team for four years.</p>
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Classmates who knew him well describe him as pleasant, spoony, and obliging. Above all, he was conscientious in meeting his responsibilities, and a diligent worker. Although, like most of his classmates, he did not graduate without demerits, he did finish four years without once running late.</p>
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He was graduated in June 1936, and at the same time received a commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry in the U.S. Army. The summer following graduation he married Marian Drabble of Providence, who became a fine wife to him and a great help to him in the Army. Starting in September 1936, there was a succession of assignments, compatible with the usual career pattern for a West Point graduate. His first assignment was to Fort Hayes, Ohio (September 1936-June 1938); then to the 33rd Infantry Regiment, Fort Clayton, Canal Zone (June 1938-July 1940); and to the 26th Infantry Regiment, Fort Devens, Massachusetts (July 1940-summer 1942). In these assignments he performed company officer duties and often those of battalion adjutant. Clearly, his preparation for future combat duty was solid.</p>
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In the summer of 1942, he went overseas with the 26th Infantry and participated in the Allied invasion of North Africa, and subsequently in the invasion of Sicily. On completion, he became S-4, 16th Infantry and landed with the 16th Infantry on Omaha Beach in the D-day invasion of Normandy. Both regiments cited were organic to the 1st Infantry Division. It appears appropriate to state that Len was one of four members of the Class of 1936 who landed on Omaha Beach, D-day, and at this writing in 1987, there is one survivor.</p>
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Len’s outstanding performance of duty in the Omaha Beach landing is perhaps best described by two non-commissioned officers who served with him in the landing. Extracts from a letter written by them to his father in 1950 describe also the circumstances of his death:</p>
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“We both knew your son very well, having been assigned in the same company and having worked under him for nearly six months. Major Godfray was assigned as regimental supply officer shortly after the completion of the campaign in Sicily and remained assigned in that duty until he met his death.</p>
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“He was killed instantly on the morning of June 6, 1944, about thirty minutes after he landed on the beach. At that time he was about two hundred yards inland and near the present site of the 1st Division monument there. Your son was a superior officer, well-liked by all who served under him, and claimed a host of friends. He died courageously, as a leader, and his death was felt throughout the regiment. On the 1st Division monument on Omaha Beach, your son’s name is inscribed among those of the division who died there on June 6, 1944…” He was decorated with the Silver Star for bravery in this action, and awarded the Purple Heart.</p>
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At this time, July 1987, Len is survived by his widow, Marian of Warwick, Rhode Island; a son, Thomas, of Rumford, Rhode Island; a daughter, Mrs. Robert Parker of Birmingham, Michigan; a sister, Mrs. Robert Crowther of Berwick, Maine; and five grandchildren. He would be very proud that Marian was present at his 50th class reunion at West Point in May 1986.</p>
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He loved his family and friends and they loved him. He also loved the Military Academy and the Army way of life, and lived by the ideals he learned from his parents and the Military Academy. He demonstrated at Omaha Beach especially, a high degree of courage and outstanding leadership. This high example is his legacy to his family, friends, and West Point classmates. His name is rightfully inscribed on the famous 1st Division monument on Omaha Beach. Finally, it seems appropriate to state that this obituary has been prepared forty-two years since his death on the battlefield.</p>
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<em>P.S.G.</em></p>
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