Lloyd Francis Mousseau

Staff Sergeant
DET B-56 (NHA TRANG), 5TH SFG, SPECIAL FORCES
Army of the United States
29 January 1944 - 02 May 1968
Cudahy, California
Panel 55E Line 026

SPECIAL FORCES 5TH SF GRP
Distinguished Service Cross

Combat Infantry

Silver Star, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart (2 awards), Good Conduct (2 awards), National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

Airborne!
Lloyd F Mousseau

The database page for Lloyd Francis Mousseau

08 Jul 2001

With Lloyd's passing we lost a great soldier and a true hero. It is with deep gratitude that we are remembering Staff Sergeant Lloyd Mousseau and all the others who served and died in times of war so that we may enjoy the Freedom and Liberties that make the United States of America great.

From a comrade's friend,
Clark T. Ballard, Jr, M D, Col U S Army Ret
66 Leschi Drive, Steilacoom, WA 98388-1514
n6qg@yahoo.com

Lloyd F Mousseau

REMEMBERED

From his cousin,
Mark Kargel
kargels1@yahoo.com
19 Feb 2002

Photos courtesy of Mark Kargel

13 Nov 2002

Lloyd "Frenchy" Mousseau was my father. He was a brave man and fought whole-heartedly for freedom. He lost his life for freedom - so that I (and my fellow Americans) can enjoy the benefits of freedom. I am proud to call him Father.

I love you, Dad...

Kathy Mousseau Mueller (Frenchie)
kathymueller@sbcglobal.net

22 Jan 2005

To my big brother who I miss every day. You are my hero and you have always been. I will always remember you and the times we had together.

Love, Bruce

From his brother,
Bruce Mousseau
29654 Abelia Road, Canyon Country, Ca 91387
bulwinklee@aol.com

30 Oct 2006

To my dear big brother Buddy, I want to thank you for not only serving your family but for serving your country. Your efforts will be remembered by many. Although you have passed on you're still in the memory of my children and their children.

I will always treasure my childhood memories of you, namely the white car. I love and miss you.

Love you, little sis,
Lucille

From his sister,
Lucille Collins
viccoll@sbcglobal.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Detachment B-52, 5th SF Group, also known as "Project Delta" was located at Nha Trang but was tasked with providing special-area and cross-border patrols throughout much of South Vietnam. On 02 May 1968 Det B-52 lost two men:
  • SFC Leroy N. Wright, Newark, NJ (Dist Svc Cross)
  • SSG Lloyd F. Mousseau, Cudahy, CA (Dist Svc Cross)
While the casualty database indicates both died within Military Region 2, South Vietnam, several privately operated Internet sites indicate their patrol unit actually was operating across the border in Cambodia in the "Fishhook" area. The Valor Remembered Foundation site has two linked pages regarding the incident in which SFC Wright's team was assaulted by North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops.

In summation, SFC Wright led a team composed of three Americans, two ARVN officers, and seven CIDG troops. The team was inserted by helicopter into an area thoroughly controlled by the NVA. Shortly after insertion, the team encountered two NVA troops and killed both - but not before one of the NVA got off a shot, thereby warning his comrades. Wright's team continued, but then encountered and in a brief but noisy fight killed (without injury to themselves) a 12-man NVA patrol. An emergency extraction was initiated, but the extraction helicopters (from the 240th AHC) came under fire about five miles before reaching the pick-up zone and themselves suffered losses. At this point, SFC Wright was severely wounded; he then rolled onto a hand grenade in order to protect his troops and was further injured when it exploded; and finally was killed by gunshot. SSG Mousseau, the second in command and himself badly wounded, took command. A 5th SF Group relief team led by Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez was introduced in a second emergency extraction effort, during which three crewmen from the 240th AHC were killed:

  • WO Larry S. McKibben, Houston, TX, pilot (Dist Svc Cross)
  • SP4 Michael D. Craig, Rosemead, CA, crew chief
  • SP4 Nelson E. Fournier, Schenectady, NY, gunner
According to the VHPA, these three men were
"shot while waiting for wounded to be loaded on board by SSG Roy Benadvidez, who won the last Medal of Honor on this day. NVA were charging the aircraft, but McKibben would not leave without the wounded. He was [posthumously] awarded the Distinguished Service Medal."
The VHPA indicates the helicopter, UH-1H tail number 66-00699, was "capable of one time flight" and the surviving pilot, CW2 William Fernan, apparently flew it out.

Of the 12-man recon team, six were dead or dying - SFC Wright, SSG Mousseau, and four Vietnamese. The only American survivor, radioman Sp4 Brian O'Connor, was severely injured and was evacuated from Vietnam before his superiors could fully debrief him on the mission. Although Sp4 O'Connor recovered, it is not known whether the remaining five Vietnamese team members survived their wounds.

The photo below shows Kathy Mousseau Mueller receiving a re-issue of her father's decorations and awards:





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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 8 Jul 2001
Last updated 08/10/2009