Born in New Orleans of an old French family, Captain Guy LeBreton was a career officer who served 34 years in the US Navy, including service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. After his retirement he lived for 36 years in the Fontana Towers in San Francisco where he could watch the shipping on the Bay from his front window.
He enlisted in the Navy as an apprentice seaman in 1943 in the V-12 program. He served at sea many times, first as a junior officer on mine sweepers, where he initially suffered from seasickness; later as an officer on the destroyer USS Osbourne, the cruiser USS Galveston, the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard, and closed out his shipboard career as Captain of the destroyer USS Whitek. He had periods of shore duty, his last as Commanding Officer, Combat Systems Tech School at Mare Island, Vallejo. He received many honors and commendations, including the World War II Victory medal, Pacific Theater and China Service medals and Legion of Honor medal.
After his retirement Captain LeBreton became a docent at the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums, where he gave hundreds of tours at the DeYoung and The Legion of Honor museums. He gave the same energy, enthusiasm and competence to his docent career as he gave to the Navy. A man of unfailing good humor, charm, and courage, the Captain will be missed by all who knew him.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 2329 Green St. San Francisco, on Tuesday, April 12, at 9:15 am, to be followed by a reception for friends and family in the Presidio at the old Presidio Golf Club, at the Arguello Gate (8 Presidio Terrace). The family requests that in lieu of flowers, friends send a donation to their favorite charity in Captain LeBreton’s name.
Captain LeBreton is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Vera Cameron LeBreton and a brother, Arthur LeBreton of Lafayette, Louisiana, and several nieces and nephews. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors. The date and time of that service are pending but can be obtained shortly by contacting Veterans Funeral Care. 800-467-7850
