2018 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 34
BY SENATOR PERRY
A RESOLUTION
To commend and congratulate Brigadier General Robert Joseph Leblanc on being awarded
the Congressional Gold Medal.
WHEREAS, Robert Joseph Leblanc was born in Vermilion Parish on November 6,
1921, graduated from Abbeville High School in 1938 lettering in boxing, swimming, and
football and being selected as Best All Round Boy in the Senior Class, and graduated from
LSU in 1942 majoring in Geology and Mathematics; and
WHEREAS, he was called to active duty in 1942 and served as Platoon Leader and
Company Commander in the Infantry Basic Training Center at Fort McClellan, Alabama;
in 1943, he volunteered for duty with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS); he then served
in the 3rd U.S. Army, Headquarters, SO, Special Forces Detachment #11 as a Special
Operations liaison officer between Patton's Army and the French Underground; he also
served with the VIII and XII Corps as well as with the Fourth Army Division attached to the
United States Third Army in France; and in 1944, he was transferred to the China-Burma
Theater where he served as a Special Operations Officer with the OSS Detachment,
Kunning, China; and
WHEREAS, after WWII, Robert Leblanc joined the Louisiana National Guard and
organized Company H, 156th Infantry in Abbeville; in 1959, he became Brigade Executive
Officer; he was promoted to Colonel in 1960, at which time he became Deputy Brigade
Commander of the 39th Infantry Division and in this position he was instrumental in the
location of a Battle Group Headquarters which later became Battalion Headquarters in
Abbeville and a Brigade Headquarters for Lafayette; and
WHEREAS, in 1963, upon reorganization of the Division, he assumed command of
the 1st Brigade, 39th Infantry Division; in 1967, he assumed command of Emergency
Operations headquarters, Louisiana Army National Guard and was promoted to Brigadier
General of the Line; and in 1972, Leblanc was assigned as Director, Emergency Operations
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and Commanding General, Louisiana Army National Guard Command, New Orleans,
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, upon military discharge, he trained in Dallas at the Southwest Photo
Institute and opened Leblanc's Photo Studio in Abbeville; and
WHEREAS, also employed as a rural carrier for the United States Post Office,
Leblanc was promoted to Postmaster of Abbeville; in 1972, he was promoted to Sectional
Center Manager/Postmaster for Lafayette where he supervised ninety-three post offices in
Southwest Louisiana and it was through his leadership that he planned the new postal facility
on Moss Street; he then documented the need for post offices that became Energy Station
in the Oil Center, the Postal Square Station downtown, and the new Ambassador Caffery
Station; and while Sectional Center Manager/Postmaster, he swore in more postmasters than
any other SCF Manager; and
WHEREAS, after Hurricane Audrey, General Leblanc was asked to take over the
operations of the Civil Defense Office to restore damaged Vermilion Parish; he was
instrumental in the reconstruction of Pecan Island, Forked Island, and the Henry-Boston
area; six months later he returned to the post office and remained a Part Time Director of
Office of Emergency Preparedness, handling a number of hurricanes and emergencies for
the state and Vermilion Parish; and his Parish Emergency Operations Plan and
Implementation was used as a model for the state; and
WHEREAS, in March 1969, General Leblanc successfully commanded troops of the
1st Brigade, 39th Division, LANG, in the Bogalusa Civil Disturbance, by protecting
marchers from serious injury; and
WHEREAS, General Leblanc has received numerous distinctions and awards for his
service, including his induction into the Louisiana National Guard Hall of Fame in 2006; and
WHEREAS, on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, members of the Office of Strategic
Services (OSS) will be honored with a Congressional Gold Medal for their historic
contributions during World War II and among the recipients is Brigadier General Robert
Joseph Leblanc of Abbeville; and .
WHEREAS, the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor the United
States Congress can bestow; and
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WHEREAS, the OSS, America's first strategic intelligence system implemented
during World War II, is widely considered the foundation of modern-day intelligence
operations and the group organized, trained, supplied, and fought in the war throughout
Europe and Asia and played a decisive role in America's victory; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities
and nation, and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the
dedication of people like Robert Joseph Leblanc who use their considerable talents and
resources to serve others; and
WHEREAS, Brigadier General Robert Joseph Leblanc merits the highest
commendation and sincere congratulations for his exemplary service and for his outstanding
contributions to Vermilion Parish, the state of Louisiana, and the United States of America.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate Brigadier General Robert Joseph Leblanc on the
occasion of being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal; does hereby recognize and record
for posterity the vital contributions of General Leblanc in his tireless dedication to
excellence and service to the citizens of Vermilion Parish, the state of Louisiana, and the
nation; and does extend to General Leblanc every good wish for success and happiness in
all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Brigadier General Robert Joseph Leblanc.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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