Perreault Square

Staff Sergeant Joseph F. E. Perreault served in the United States Army during World War II. A native of 21 Planters Street in Salem, he was born on August 10th, 1917.  He initially enlisted into the armed forces on April 15th, 1941. Throughout the course of the war, he served in the campaigns of Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands as a part of the First Marine Division. Between March 10th and 12th, 1942, Staff Sergeant Perreault was a part of a machine gun squad charged with supporting an attack on Hill 260 in the Solomon Islands. Through enemy shelling and small arms fire, he successfully pinned down enemy forces that were attacking the assault force. For his bravery in battle, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on May 18th, 1944. Other awards to his credit include the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Medal. Having survived the war, he was honorably discharged on July 5th, 1945.     

After the war, Staff Sergeant Perreault also served for 6 years in the Army National Guard between 1954 and 1960. There, he served with Company B, 126th Signal Battalion from Chelsea, Massachusetts. On May 12th, 1954 (the day he entered), he was promoted to Master Sergeant.

His square was approved by the City Council on September 28th, 2017 and is located at the intersection of Planters and East Collins Street, dedicated in his honor.