Jack P.F. Gremillion - Dodd Recalls Gremillion's War Record

Dodd Recalls Gremillion's War Record

Gremillion referred to his World War II service in his campaign speeches in a bid to appeal to Louisiana's large number of voters who were also veterans.

William J. "Bill" Dodd, who was successfully running for auditor (also called comptroller) in the same primary in which Gremillion was seeking the attorney general's position, recalled how Earl Long who, in Dodd's words, "was a draft dodger in World War I, was sensitive and touchy about candidates who bragged on their war records, and Gremillion, who as a decorated combat veteran . . . bragged about his fine record, using as much as half of his speeches in stories about his war experiences."

Dodd continued: "I knew he had a good war record and that he had received a Purple Heart. He got it from a gunshot wound he received while leaning over to help a fallen infantry man. The bullet or shrapnel hit Gremillion in the belly and traveled down between his legs. Gremillion liked to talk about his Purple Heart, but he never said where he got shot."

Dodd told an unusually large crowd in the village of Montgomery in Grant Parish that "Our hero, Jack Gremillion, was breathing gunpowder and killing Germans. Why he almost got killed himself when an enemy shell plowed into one of his most vital organs; if you don't believe Jack Gremillion earned his Purple Heart, he will show you the scars he has to prove it."

According to Dodd, who could barely contain his humor, Gremillion later told him, "Dodd, I appreciate your bragging on my war record, but don't tell the crowds that I will show them where I got shot. Several of those darn rednecks wanted me to show them my scars and got mad when I refused to pull down my pants."

In the December 7, 1963, primary, Gremillion prevailed over his lone Democratic rival, Charles Riddle, Jr.