Changes

{{Infobox officeholder

{{Infobox officeholder

|name=John Rayburn "Ray" Bertrand​

|name=John Rayburn "Ray" Bertrand​

|office= [[Mayor]] of [[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]], [[United States|USA]]​

|office=[[Mayor]] of [[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]], [[United States|USA]]​

|term_start=1960 ​

|term_start=1960 ​

|term_end=1972​

|term_end=1972​

|profession=[[Business]]man​

|profession=[[Business]]man​

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]​

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]​

|footnotes='''Notes''':<br>

|footnotes='''Notes''':<br>

*Mayor Bertrand's admirers wanted to rename the [[Lafayette]] Regional Airport in his honor.​

*Mayor Bertrand's admirers wanted to rename the [[Lafayette]] Regional Airport in his honor.​

==World War II==

==World War II==

Shortly after graduation, Bertrand applied for aviation cadet training with the [[United States Army Air Forces]] and was accepted in December 1941, after previoiusly working an accountant with a [[New Orleans]] firm.<ref name=obit/>​

Shortly after graduation, Bertrand applied for aviation cadet training with the [[United States Army Air Forces]] and was accepted in December 1941, after previously working an accountant with a [[New Orleans]] firm.<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/>

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/>

On leaving office as mayor, Bertrand joined the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company (now a part of Bank One Corporation), and served as senior vice president and member of the board of directors. After his retirement from the bank, he continued to manage real estate properties and use his expertise in government to advise and assist boards and commissions working on municipal planning.​<ref name=obit/>

On leaving office as mayor, Bertrand joined the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company (now a part of Bank One Corporation), and served as senior vice president and member of the board of directors. After his retirement from the bank, he continued to manage real estate properties and use his expertise in government to advise and assist boards and commissions working on municipal planning.​<ref name=obit/>

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==Civic leadership==

==Civic leadership==