During the month of August, the 59th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber - Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of United States Army PFC Rene G. Poitras, of New Bedford, who was killed in action in 1952 during the Korean War.
Poitras was born in New Bedford on September 7, 1931. He lived with his family on Holly St. and attended New Bedford city schools. Rene was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 21. Before leaving for military service, he married his high school sweetheart, Rita. Rene was excited to know that his wife was pregnant before he was deployed, but little did he know she was carrying twin boys.
Rene’s best friend, Paul Cote, was drafted at the same time as him. According to Poitras’ niece, Yvette Randall, “My uncle Rene made his best friend, Paul Cote, promise to take care of his wife and child if he didn’t make it back.”
Randall explained that on the day Poitras left to serve, his wife Rita, his mother, Loretta, and sister, Jeannette (who is Randall’s mother), all ran beside the train as it took off with a train full of soldiers.
“He didn’t want to go into the service, it wasn’t his choice to go.” Yet, Poitras, at the age of 21, left his pregnant wife and family behind to serve his country.
According to a story published in the Standard-Times in 2011, Army Private First Class Poitras had only been in Korea, serving with the 23rd Infantry Regiment for three months before he was killed in action on Oct. 9, 1952.
According to history.army.mil, “A series of enemy attacks in October 1952 produced some of the heaviest fighting in more than a year. Most of it centered around two key heights, Hills 281 and 395, northwest of Ch'orwon. The attacks were opened on 6 October with the largest volume of mortar and artillery fire received by the Eighth Army during the war. By 15 October the disputed ground was held firmly by U.N. forces, and the enemy withdrew. Over 2,000 Chinese dead were counted on these two hills after the 10-day battle.”
Poitras left behind his parents, Adelard and Loretta Poitras, a sister, Jeannette; and his wife, Rita, who gave birth to twin sons less than five weeks after his death. One son was named Rene, after his father, and the other son was named David. Poitras’ best friend, Paul Cote, honored his friend’s wish and in time married Rita and adopted her two children. A short time later, they moved to Florida to raise the boys, who now have families of their own.
PFC Rene G. Poitras left an impact on relatives who never got to meet the fallen Korean War veteran, according to his niece Yvette Randall who was born 11 years after his death. "I heard many things about him. My late mother said he was the kindest, sweetest guy who would do anything for you."
Poitras’ memorial stone was originally dedicated in 1952 at the center of the Shawmut Avenue and Hathaway Road intersection. It was re-dedicated and moved to Riverside Park, on Belleville Avenue in 2006. According to Randall, the new location is near the neighborhood where her uncle grew up. Also visible is the cross atop St. Anthony De Padua Church on Acushnet Avenue, where Rene and Rita Poitras were married in March 1952.
"I wish I could have known him," Randall said, "We don't forget him.”
Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber - Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@empirefordinc.com.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: August Vet Flag to honor PFC Rene G. Poitras, KIA in the Korean War at the age of 21
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