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*During Bertrand's twelve years as mayor of Lafayette, the city nearly doubled in population.​}}

*During Bertrand's twelve years as mayor of Lafayette, the city nearly doubled in population.​}}

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'''John Rayburn Bertrand''', known as '''J. Raymond  Bertrand''' or as '''Ray Bertrand''' (October 1, 1918 – March 6, 2005) was a [[business]]man, civic leader, and decorated [[World War II]] veteran who served from  1960 to  1972 as the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] mayor of [[Lafayette]],  [[Louisiana]].  During Bertrand's three terms, the city nearly doubled in population, having grown from 40,000 to 75,000, and the corporate limits were extended more than sixty times. Lafayette subsequently became the state's fourth largest city.

'''John Rayburn Bertrand''', known as '''J. Raymond  Bertrand''' or as '''Ray Bertrand''' (October 1, 1918 – March 6, 2005) was a [[business]]man, civic leader, and decorated [[World War II]] veteran who served from  1960 to  1972 as the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] mayor of [[Lafayette]],  [[Louisiana]].  During Bertrand's three terms, the city nearly doubled in population, having grown from 40,000 to 75,000, and the corporate limits were extended more than sixty times. Lafayette subsequently became and remains the state's fourth largest city.

==Background==

==Background==

Bertrand became a fighter pilot early in the war. He flew from [[England]] with the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group. He was part of its first mission, which was also the first combat mission of the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. During two years with the group, Bertrand flew eighty-eight combat missions over enemy territory. He earned two [[Distinguished Flying Cross]]es and seven Air Medals. His group was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation. Bertrand flew every position from wing man to group leader of ninety ships. His missions included bomber escort, strafing, fighter sweeps, and drive bombing. He was promoted to the rank of [[major]] while he was on combat duty. He retired as a [[lieutenant colonel]].​<ref name=obit/>

Bertrand became a fighter pilot early in the war. He flew from [[England]] with the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group. He was part of its first mission, which was also the first combat mission of the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. During two years with the group, Bertrand flew eighty-eight combat missions over enemy territory. He earned two [[Distinguished Flying Cross]]es and seven Air Medals. His group was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation. Bertrand flew every position from wing man to group leader of ninety ships. His missions included bomber escort, strafing, fighter sweeps, and drive bombing. He was promoted to the rank of [[major]] while he was on combat duty. He retired as a [[lieutenant colonel]].​<ref name=obit/>

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==Political career==

==Political career==

Prior to his election as mayor, Bertrand worked in the [[real estate]] and [[insurance]] fields.<ref name=obit/>

Prior to his election as mayor, Bertrand worked in the [[real estate]] and [[insurance]] fields.<ref name=obit/>