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Lafield was one of three sons of Joseph Henry "Jodie" Lafield and the former Florence "Doll" Jackson. He was a champion athlete in track and [[basketball]] at Coushatta High School, since renamed Red River High School. In 1943, he was drafted into the Army in [[Shreveport]].<ref name=obit/> A month later, he wed in [[Bossier City]] the former Kate Brown (1926-2016).The couple had four children, Joseph Henry "Jodie" Lafield, Harry Lane Lafield, Trudy Lynn Lafield Abboud. and Byron Lafield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170015312/kate-lafield|title=Kate Brown Lafield|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 10, 2021}}</ref>

Lafield was one of three sons of Joseph Henry "Jodie" Lafield and the former Florence "Doll" Jackson. He was a champion athlete in track and [[basketball]] at Coushatta High School, since renamed Red River High School. In 1943, he was drafted into the Army in [[Shreveport]].<ref name=obit/> A month later, he wed in [[Bossier City]] the former Kate Brown (1926-2016).The couple had four children, Joseph Henry "Jodie" Lafield, Harry Lane Lafield, Trudy Lynn Lafield Abboud. and Byron Lafield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170015312/kate-lafield|title=Kate Brown Lafield|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 10, 2021}}</ref>

He was a staff sergeant trained at Camp Abbot, [[Oregon]], and the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot in Tacoma, [[Washington]]. On May 26, 1944, he was sent to [[New Guinea]] and then the [[Philippines]] and [[Japan]]. He supervised the laying, testing, and maintenance of wire communications and the adjustment and repair of radio sets and wire lines. As communications chief, he fought on New Guinea, the Gulf of Leyte, and Luzon. He became a machine gunner while stationed also in [[Burma]]. He fought in the Battle of Driniumor River in 1944. For his military success, he received the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations Ribbon, with three [[Bronze Star]]s, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.<ref name=obit/>

He was a staff sergeant trained at Camp Abbot, [[Oregon]], and the Mount Rainier Ordnance Depot in Tacoma, [[Washington]]. On May 26, 1944, he was sent to [[New Guinea]] and then the [[Philippines]] and [[Japan]]. He supervised the laying, testing, and maintenance of wire communications and the adjustment and repair of radio sets and wire lines. As communications chief, he fought on New Guinea, the Gulf of Leyte, and Luzon. He became a machine gunner while stationed also in [[Burma]]. He fought in the Battle of Driniumor River in 1944. For his military success, he received the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations Ribbon, with three [[Bronze Star]]s, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.<ref name=obit/>

After the surrender of the Empire of Japan in August 1945, Lafield served for several weeks as part of the occupation forces in Fukuoka and [[Osaka]], Japan. He was honorably discharged from the military on January 9, 1946.<ref name=obit/>

After the surrender of the Empire of Japan in August 1945, Lafield served for several weeks as part of the occupation forces in Fukuoka and [[Osaka]], Japan. He was honorably discharged from the military on January 9, 1946.<ref name=obit/>

He was formerly the president of the Coushatta Lions International and a member of the town council. He was over the years a [[deacon]], [[Sunday School]] superintendent, and a choir member at the First [[Southern Baptist|Baptist]] Church of Coushatta.<ref name=obit/>

He was formerly the president of the Coushatta Lions International and a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] member of the town council from 1988 to 1996. He was over the years a [[deacon]], [[Sunday School]] superintendent, and a choir member at the First [[Southern Baptist|Baptist]] Church of Coushatta.<ref name=obit/>

Lafield died in Coushatta at the age of ninety-four. After services at his church, he was interred at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta.<ref name=obit/>

Lafield died in Coushatta at the age of ninety-four. After services at his church, he was interred at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta.<ref name=obit/>

[[Category:World War II]]

[[Category:World War II]]

[[Category:United States Army]]

[[Category:United States Army]]