Marine Corps career

He served in the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 prior to enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

 April 16, 1940. Commissioned First Lieutenant January 1, 1943 while serving in the Pacific campaign he died of wounds received in the action at Guadalcanal

Guadalcanal

Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...

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Awarded the Navy Cross

Lieutenant La Prade was awarded the Navy Cross

Navy Cross

The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...

 for extraordinary heroism and outstanding courage during action against enemy Japanese Forces at Guadalcanal January 20, 1943.

Operating behind the enemy lines, Lieutenant La Prade, in command of a combat patrol which wiped out one enemy machinegun position, was critically wounded twice. . . . Despite his insistence that they leave him behind, he was carried back to our lines where he with unfaltering disregard for his own ebbing strength, continued to give directions and formation until he lost consciousness. His indomitable fighting spirit and inspiring devotion to the accomplishment of an important mission were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service...

Namesake

USS La Prade (DE-409)

USS La Prade (DE-409)

USS La Prade was a acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The primary purpose of the destroyer escort was to escort and protect ships in convoy, in addition to other tasks as assigned, such as patrol or radar picket....

 was named in his honor. She was laid down November 18, 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding

Brown Shipbuilding

The Brown Shipbuilding Company was founded in Houston, Texas in 1942 as a subsidiary of Brown and Root by brothers Herman and George R. Brown to build ships for the US Navy during World War II....

 Co., Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...

; launched December 31, 1943; sponsored by Mrs. J. T. La Prade, mother of the late Lieutenant La Prade; and commissioned April 20, 1944, Lt. Comdr. C. M. Fellows in command.