Jean Paul Desjardins 88, of Mendon Rd. died Thursday at Mt St. Francis Health Center. He was born in Canada a son of the late Walter and Corana (Dumas) Desjardins.
Mr. Desjardins spent five years in the US Navy and fifteen years in the US Air Force and served during WWII and the Korean War. He was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal w/ 3 bronze loops, American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Campaign Medal with 2 silver and 3 bronze stars, the Navy occupation Medal w/ Asia Clasp, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/ star and the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge. He participated in the landing of Guadalcanal an most of the major operations from Guadalcanal to Tokyo, including Operation Crossroad, testing the Atomic Bomb's effect on naval vessels. During the Cuban Missile Crisis he was assigned to a base in France to maintain the aircraft of the Airborne Command Post, for twenty four hours a day. He also served two years in the Cold War for the Congo.
Mr. Desjardins worked as a tree trimmer for the State of RI for twelve years before retiring. He was a member of the USS San Juan Shipmates Assoc., US Navy Memorial Foundation, US Air Force Sergeant Assoc., The American Legion, and the AARP.
He is survived by a son William Desjardins of Whitefield, NH, a daughter Donna Colomby of Los Angeles, CA and two grandchildren. He was also the brother of the late Bernard and Lucien Desjardins
His funeral will be held Wednesday at 9:00 AM from the Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home, 99 Cumberland St. Woonsocket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. James Church, Division St. in Manville. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. James Cemetery . Visiting hours are Tuesday 4-8 PM.