Memorial

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Pfc Silvio G. Formosa Jr. was employed as an electrician in the Paper Mill Maintenance Department before he enlisted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 17 August 1944.
His comrade Chester Yastrzemski recalls wath happened on that tragic day:
"Sylvio G. Formosa was accidentally killed when we were traveling by truck through Leipzig, Germany. The standing order at the time was no shell in the chamber of the M1 rifle. We used to stack the M1 under the seats. I was sitting next to Formosa when a member of my squad reached down to retrieve his rifle and it went off and the round went through the steel helmet killing Formosa instantly. We took his body and layed it onto the street and continued on our way. But for the grace of God it could have readily been me to receive the shot. When I have visited Margraten Cemetery, I make sure to visit his grave site. In our '85 tour I took a photo of his stone marker, as to me at the time of his death was a traumatic experience as we were both 19 years of age at that time. I only mention it at this time because it's still deeply etched in my mind."