Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LULING — Louisiana Senator Gary Smith recently authored a resolution recognizing the Champagne family of St. Charles Parish as “The Most Military Family in America.”

Horace Champagne married Mary Catherine Ford in 1923, and 12 of their 14 children went on to serve their country in the various branches of the United States military. Extensive research by the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Administration has determined this to be a national record for the most siblings from the same two parents to have served in the military.

The surviving children of the late Horace Champagne and Mary Ford Champagne of Luling were honored by the Louisiana State Senate on June 10 in Baton Rouge. The day’s festivities included a surprise visit from Governor John Bel Edwards to commemorate the selfless service that the Champagne family has extended to our country.

The Senate resolved to send a copy of the resolution to all living children of Horace and Mary Catherine Ford Champagne, as well as St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne the son of Jerry Charles Champagne.

A video documenting the presentation of the resolution is available at senate.la.gov/s_video/videoarchive.asp.

The following Champagne family members are highlighted in Senator Smith’s resolution:

• Harold J. Champagne served in the United States Navy during World War II. He participated in six Allied Forces landings in the Pacific Theater under the direction of General Douglas MacArthur. He passed away in 2011.
• Pearl Champagne Lauret served in the United States Naval Reserve (Women’s Reserve), also known as WAVES, during World War II. She passed away in 2018.
• Alvin Peter “Champ” Champagne served in the United States Army, beginning in 1945, aboard an Army hospital ship. He passed away in 2015.
• Morris Joseph Champagne served in the United States Army with the 38th Infantry Regiment in the American Zone of Occupied Germany and in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He was killed in action during the battle of Hoengsoeng in South Korea in February 1951.
• Johnny Anthony Champagne served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He passed away in 2017.
• Jerry Charles Champagne, served in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean Conflict. He passed away in 2019.
• Horace Joseph Champagne Jr. served in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during the Korean Conflict. He currently resides in Luling.
• Charles James Champagne served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955 through 1957. He currently resides in Picayune, Mississippi.
• Ronald Joseph Champagne served in the United States Navy from 1960 through 1962. He currently resides in Luling.
• David Joseph Champagne served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict from 1962 through 1964. He currently resides in Luling.
• Anthony Raymond Champagne served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict from 1963 through 1965. He currently resides in Bayou Gauche, Louisiana.
• Thomas Eugene Champagne served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam Conflict. He resides in Luling.