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| Sgt. Emily Ricci was a medic attached to the 43rd Infantry Division in New Georgia. https://purpleheartsreunited.org/heart/tec5-emilio-r-ricci/ http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/174553-information-on-pto-pictures/ |
Emilio Ricci never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on January 5, 1918 in Connecticut. I was not able to find census data about his parents or siblings. Prior to joining the army, Emilio completed one year of high school and worked at the family owned gas station.
He enlisted in the army in March 1941. He became a TEC 5 combat medic, 118th Medical Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division (Nicknamed "Winged Victory Division"). The 43rd ID originated from troops from Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine. It was sent to New Zealand in October 1942.
The American attack on New Georgia began at the end of June 1943, the next step to move closer to Rabaul and to eliminate the Japanese airbase at Munda Point. The Japanese fought more effectively than they had at Guadalcanal until their cut off supplies and communication led to their defeat. Before that happened, the Japanese made a successful counterattack on the evening of July 17 which overran the command post of the 43rd ID near Zanana. Sgt. Ricci was killed on July 18 while coming to the aid of a wounded soldier.
His grave is at Saint Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven, Connecticut. Sgt. Ricci's Purple Heart was somehow lost. It was discovered in 2011. You can read about it here.
Last year on this date I profiled Oscar Benway from the 4th Infantry Division and movie actress Jane Wyman. You can read their story 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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