Cliff Buchan
News EditorTed Houleís service during World War II was seldom a subject the Forest Lake man would talk about. A Silver Star winner, Houle would play down his actions in the Solomon Islands during newspaper interviews and in private conversations with friends.
But what is clear is that Houleís actions on Aug. 7, 1942 during the battle of Guadalcanal would earn a Silver Star and Purple Heart and leave him with battle wounds requiring a full year of recovery.
It was Houleís actions on the island of Gavutu that singlehandedly knocked out a strategic Japanese gun emplacement that was pounding Marines who landed on the beach that morning.
The Forest Lake man who never sought the spotlight for his military service is now gone.
Houle, 87, died Monday, Nov. 8, 2004 from leukemia.
Early to serve
Ted Houle grew up on a small family farm south and west of Forest Lake near the intersection of TH-97 and I-35. He spent his early years helping with the family farm and learned the art of hunting, fishing and trapping.
He was just 23 when he joined the Marines in September of 1940. He was assigned to the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion of the 1st Marine Division at New Bern, NC, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The U.S. was quickly drawn into the world war declaring war on Japan and finding Germany and Italy following suit against the U.S.
Although Houle made 200 practice jumps as a paratrooper, his training was never put to use. Houleís Marine division was soon sent to California from Camp Lejeune and on to the South Pacific.
On Gavutu, the Marines met hardened Japanese forces in the first major battle of the island-hopping campaign that was needed to defeat the invaders.
During that first day of fighting, 56 of Houleís commrades were cut down and killed by the Japanese defenders. He was the first Marine to reach the opening of the gun emplacement that looked down on the beach.
Using his rifle, side arm and grenades, Houle beat back repeated attacks by Japanese defenders. An explosion in the ammo dump for the 5-inch gun ended the assault but sent Houle hurtling 40 feet from the gun site. He was left blind, deaf and nearly paralyzed and facing more than a year of medical recovery.
A private matter
In the years that followed World War II, Houle returned to Forest Lake, worked for a time in an arms plant and spent the better part of two decades as a farmer and heavy equipment operator.
His war service was seldom a topic he was willing to talk about.
Bill Olson, commander at VFW Post 4210, said the two enjoyed many hours together, but Houleís war service never came up. ìI never heard a word out of him about the war,î Olson said.
Olson remembered his friend as a very interesting man and one who was deeply involved with Post 4210 and American Legion Post 225 where he held membership, as well.
ìHe was always here to see what was going on,î Olson said of the VFW Post.
El Ewert, another member of Post 4210 and Post 225, was an infantryman who served in the South Pacific but after Houleís time there.
ìWe compared some notes, but he was there earlier than I was,î said Ewert, a Bronze Star winner for valor in his service.
As one who faced combat and the prospects of life and death, Ewert said it was not uncommon for soldiers to refrain from reliving the events.
ìYou know itís a human life,î Ewert said. ìThen itís a matter of survival.î
Houle was a charter member of VFW Post 4210. Earlier this year, Houle was honored for 60 years of continuous service to the American Legion, said Post 225 Commander Ron Weiss.
He was also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Life at home
Houleís life at home became routine and normal.
After recovering from his injuries, Houle returned home with his wife Mamie. They had met in North Carolina and were married in February of 1942 before the Marine shipped out for war duty.
He spent the final months of the war years working in the arms plant in the north metro area. In 1945 the Houles bought 56 acres in Forest Lake near what is today Woodlund Mobile Home Court.
They ran Tedís Berry Farm until the early 1960s selling berries and growing a wide assortment of vegetables that were sold direct or to wholesalers.
For more than 15 years, the Houle farm provided many jobs for area youngsters who learned the value of hard work and responsibility.
In the early 1960s, some of the land was developed as a site for trailer houses and the creation of Ted Trailer Haven. It was the start of todayís mobile home park in Forest Lake.
After selling the business, Houle went to work as a heavy equipment operator and continued until 1979 when he retired.
Looking back on his military career, Houle said in an interview two years ago he remained frustrated that the world had not learned its lessons. Houle said the loss of so many lives and his battle wounds may have been in vain as many more wars have followed what was thought to be the war to end all wars.
ìThat was the very beginning,î Houle said of that fateful August day in 1942. ìWe never knew what we were getting into. Maybe it was a good thing.î
Funeral details
A Mass of Christian Burial for Theodore J. Houle was Friday, Nov. 12 at St. Peterís Catholic Church in Forest Lake with the Rev. Donald DeGrood officiating. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mamie; sons Leon (Jennifer) Houle, Lino Lakes, and Leo (Sheila) Houle, Stillwater; daughter Laura (Danny) Scholl, Forest Lake; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters Sylvia Smith and Theresa Brine.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Regine Houle; one son, Phillip and infant twins.
Memorials are preferred to the VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55416 in the name of Theodore Houle.
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