Bernard Ishmael and Billie Jeanne Rabalais World War II Papers

This collection holds the history of a beloved family. Bernard Ishmael Rabalais was born May 4, 1921, to his father Samuel James Rabalais, and his mother Agnes Palache. His family immigrated from France to Canada and then to Louisiana in the 1800s. They then settled in Corpus Christi Texas where he would meet his wife Billie Jeanne Deer. Billie Jean Deer was born May 30, 1924, to Selwyn Rice Deer and Lois V. Lilley. In 1940, Billie Jeanne and Bernard Ishmael met and were married on February 4, 1942. They both were in Corpus Christi when World War II started, and they both became involved. Bernard Ishmael Rabalais enlisted in the Army on October 26th, 1942. He served overseas in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater for Seven months. Rabalais was awarded battle stars, a good conduct medal, Philippine liberation ribbon, American theater ribbon, and World War II victory medal. Before the war, Billie Jeanne was a USO dancer and soon became a part of the millions of women helping with the war effort. Before and during the war both Billie Jeanne and Bernard wrote to each other every day until he was honorably discharged on January 25, 1946. After the war Bernard and Billie had three children, Thomas, Steven, and Jeanne Hope Rabalais. Bernard passed away on December 29th, 2003, and Billie Jeanne on November 4, 2002.