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| PFC Edwin Mello served in the 80th Infantry Division. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70996597/edwin-lawrence-mello https://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/80thinfantry/index.html |
Edwin Lawrence Mello never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
Announcement: Later this month I will be starting a project that will result in the stories of all 400,000 plus of the World War 2 fallen at one online location. There will be an accompanying smart phone app to allow users visiting any war memorial to scan the fallen serviceman's name and be linked to his story. Watch this blog or join the WW2 Fallen 100 Facebook page to learn of upcoming details.
Edwin was born on January 8, 1920 in California. His parents Joe and Mary were both born in the Azores. They immigrated in 1900 and 1911, respectively. His father worked as a farmer. Edwin had one younger brother and one younger sister.
He was drafted into the army in June 1944 and became a private first class in Company C, 1st Battalion, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division. He joined his unit as a replacement, but I don't know when.
The 80th Infantry Division landed on Utah Beach in early August 1944 and became a favorite of General George Patton, who time and again gave the 80th ID important assignments which included creating the Falaise Pocket. When the Germans launched their surprise winter offense, the 80th ID helped the 4th Armored Division to break through the Germans surrounding the 101st Airborne in Bastogne.
By February 1945 the 80th ID was facing the Germans on the Siegfried Line. On February 20 the 317th IR was given the assignment to take Hill 407. The Germans fought back with deadly artillery fire. PFC Mello was killed on February 21, 1945. His father had died two days earlier.
His grave is at Calvary Cemetery in Hanford, California.
Last year on this date I profiled Bert Noorda, 81st Infantry Division, the brother of Novell founder Ray Noorda. You can read about Bert 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.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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