Born and raised in Hopkinton, Louis Chouinard was a graduate of Hopkinton High School, Class of 1943. He was an enlisted man in the 6th Marine Division that received military honors including a Presidential Unit Citation for its valor during the Battle of Okinawa. The “Striking Sixth” was organized during 1944, in the midst of the Pacific War as manpower requirements dictated. Louis became a member of the 4th Regiment comprised largely of Marine Raider Battalions that were battle-hardened from combat in the Philippines, Guam and elsewhere. He was in the 2nd Battalion, Company E.

 

The 6th Marine Division assaulted Okinawa on Love-Day at Hagushi Beach with the strength of 24,356 marines and sailors. After securing Yontan airfield with hardly a fight, the Division took control of northern areas. When it was determined Japanese resistance was more southerly, the 6th Marine Division re-focused toward the Shuri Line. “They are credited for taking much of the island and raising the American flag on both ends of the island. By June 21, 1945, the battle’s end, 8,277 had been killed or wounded. (“A Brief History”).

 

After the surrender of the Japanese, the 4th Regiment was one of two units given the distinction of making the first landing on Japanese soil, the first such landing in three thousand years of Japanese history (“A Brief History”).