Arthur J. Douville

United States marine corps 1965-1976

vietnam war

captain

purple heart

Arthur J. Douville was born in December 1945 in Enfield, Connecticut. Art graduated from Enfield High School in 1963 and attended the University of Connecticut from 1963-64 before enlisting in the Marine Corps in November 1965. Private Douville completed recruit training in January 1966, followed by infantry training at Camp Geiger.

On the encouragement of his OIC, Lance Corporal Douville applied and was accepted to Officer Candidate’s School. He graduated from the 44th Officer Candidates Course on June 2, 1967 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. Second Lieutenant Douville was a member of Sixth Basic Class of 1967 graduating on November 1, 1967 whereupon he immediately received orders to WestPac and Vietnam. On December 10, 1967, Second Lieutenant Douville was placed in command of 1st Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion 1st Marines.

On March 27, 1968 during the Battle of Khe Sahn, Second Lieutenant Douville was leading at patrol in the vicinity of Ca Lu as a part of Operation Pegasus to reopen Highway 9 when he was wounded by mortar fire and medevaced to Yokosuka Japan. After he was returned to full duty in June 1968, he became the Executive Officer of Headquarters & Service Company, 1st Battalion 2nd Marines and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of BLT 1/2. During the deployment he was given command of the “Flames” and 106 Platoon then upon return to CONUS became Commanding Officer of Headquarters & Service Company 2nd Battalion 1st Marines.

In Oct 1969, First Lieutenant Douville joined 2nd Battalion 6th Marines as the Assistant Operations Officer and deployed once again to the Mediterranean Sea as a member of Battalion Landing Team 2/6. Upon return from his second deployment, First Lieutenant Douville transferred to the reserves and Fourth Marine Division and was placed in command of 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 25th Marines, where he quickly ascended to Executive Officer, promoted to captain in January 1971 and was Company Commander from 1971 through 1973. Captain Douville was honorably discharged on 2 July 1976.

As a drilling reservist in 1970, Art started as a sales trainee with Rourke-Eno Paper Company (a division of Unisource) and by 1975 was a sales manager; in four more years was a division manager; and in 1980 became a Vice President. And one year later became Executive Vice President and by 1989 was the company president. In 1992, Art was the recipient of the Alco Partner of the year award, which he received again in 1997 and stands as the only two-time winner in company history.

In 1998, Art departed Unisource as a regional president to become president of Alling & Cory (a Union Camp company later acquired by International Paper). By 2000, Art was Executive Vice President of XPEDX and a vice president of International Paper. Art was honored in 2007 as the winner of the Stanley O. Styles Award; the National Paper Trade Association’s highest honor is awarded to an individual who has had a distinguished career in the printing paper industry. Art retired in 2011 and resides in Somers, Connecticut and Jamestown Rhode Island with his wife Sherry (née Cooper) Douville. Art’s personal awards include; the Purple Heart, The Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.