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| Pvt. John Falcato, 81st Infantry Division, was killed at the Battle of Angaur. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111702711 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2tvEk5-Kpk |
John Falcato never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on January 7, 1918 in California. His parents Antone and Maria were both born in Portugal and came to America in 1911. His father worked as a farm laborer and later as a farmer. John had three older brothers, two older sisters, two younger sisters and one younger brother.
I don't know when John enlisted in the army, but he became a private in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 322nd Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division (Nicknamed: Wildcat). The 81st ID was a late-formed division. Pvt. Falcato would not face the enemy until September 1944 in the Peleliu Campaign.
While the experienced 1st Marine Division was give the assignment of attacking the main island, the 81st ID was assigned to take nearby Angaur Island. After a week of bombardment, Pvt. Falcato and the 322 IR landed on the northern Beach Red of Angaur on September 17, 1944. Pvt. Falcato was killed two days later as the Japanese fought desperately with no thought of surrender. The Americans lost 260 killed in the battle.
His grave is at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in San Jose, California.
Last year on this date I profiled nurse Marian Gillis, the only woman I have found so far (and not for lack of trying). You can read about Marian here.
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!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Join the public Facebook group WW2 Fallen 100
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