WW2 Fallen - DSC hero and C-47 pilot John Corsetti

Lt. John Corsetti flew a C-47 Skytrain like this one from the 306th Troop Carrier Squadron.
http://www.questmasters.us/306th_Troop_Carrier_Squadron.html

John Corsetti never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.

He was born on July 12, 1917 in New York. His parents were both born in Italy. They came to America a few years before John was born. His father worked as a shoe cutter in a shoe factory. Later he owned his own store. John had two younger brothers. By 1940 John had completed four years of high school. He was still living at home and possibly attending college.

He enlisted in the US Army on December 12, 1941. He became a first lieutenant in the 306th Troop Carrier Squadron, 442nd Troop Carrier Group. The 442nd arrived in England in March 1944. On June 6, 1944 the 442nd airdropped the 82nd Airborne Division in the invasion of Normandy.

On September 17, 1944 the 442nd was assigned to airdrop the 101st Airborne in Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. Lt. Corsetti's plane was flying at 2,000 feet on its way to the drop zone near Eindhoven. His plane was hit by flak that disabled his left engine. Lt. Corsetti continued on the mission and successfully dropped all 17 paratroopers. His plane was then hit by more flak which created a fire in his right engine. He ordered his crew of four to bail out. They all survived but Lt. Corsetti died when the plane crashed. Lt. Corsetti was award the Distinguished Service Cross for his selfless and gallant action.

His grave is at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester, New York.

Thank you John for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for John.

On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!

To mark having over 100,000 visits to my project to honor the fallen of WW2 on their 100th birthdate, I created this video to share. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY

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