RUSSIA – Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will host the WWII PFC Francis A. Guillozet family, friends, Veterans, and the community on Saturday, October 3, 10:00 am at the Catholic War Veterans Post 661, Russia, OH. A portion of Ohio St. Rt. 47 north highway between Simon Road and St. Rt. 66 will be dedicated to the fallen Shelby County WWII War hero. State Representative Tim Barhorst of Ohio District 85 and Angie King of Ohio District 84 presented legislation to honor Guillozet. Jim Buchy will be the Master of Ceremonies.
Francis Guillozet was born January 28, 1924, to Jonas and Leora Guillozet and lived his entire life in Russia, Ohio. Francis was the third child of his parents Jonas and Leora (Monnier) Guillozet. His siblings were Mary, Loretta, Manetta, Eugene, Charlene, Thomas, Patricia, Kenneth, Raymond.
The family grew up on a farm northwest of Russia on Simon Rd. Hard work was what the family knew best. His dad was a farmer and carpenter by trade. Francis attended Russia Local School and helped his father on the farm.
On March 14, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army and left to serve on March 25, 1942. He was sent overseas with an armored infantry battalion December 7, 1944, and the soldier-hero received citations as an expert marksman and truck driver and received the Purple Heart Medal. His rank was Private First Class.
At 21 years old, Private First Class Francis Arthur Guillozet was killed in action in Germany March 14, 1945. His body, which had been interred in the military cemetery in Belgium, arrived in St. Mary’s, Ohio, by rail from Columbus, and was shipped to the family home. Members of the St. Remy Post 661 stood guard from the time of the body’s arrival until the time of his funeral. People came to the family home to honor his service and life for our country. His funeral services were at St. Remy Catholic Church, and interment in the church cemetery.
