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name
MASSANELLI, Sonny V - Date of
birth
27 Jul 1924 -
Age
20 -
Place of birth
Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas -
Hometown
Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
38661165 -
Rank
Private -
Function
unknown -
Unit
HQ Company,
1st Battalion,
405th Infantry Regiment,
102nd Infantry Division
-
Awards
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
3 December 1944 - Place of
death
Near Linnich, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 16 | 20 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Cesar Massanelli (father)
Elena (Magnini) Massanelli (mother)
Delia Massanelli (sister)
Victor Massanelli (brother)
James Massanelli (brother)
Rosie Massanelli (sister)
Lena May Massanelli (sister)
Anna Mae Massanelli (sister)
Caesar Massanelli Jr. (brother)
Thomas Massanelli (brother)
More information
Pvt Massanelli was reported missing in action on 25 November 1944 but by 12 December 1944 his status was changed to killed in action on 3 December 1944 in Linnich, Germany.While in Germany, Pvt Massanelli and four of his buddies built a ball field in Tann, Germany. It was called "Buddie's Field". A monument was later erected in that spot with all five names on it. For years Massanelli's family thought that was where he was buried. It wasn’t until 2005 that the family learned the truth when one of his nieces made a trip overseas and discovered where he was actually buried. She brought pictures of his gravesite back home to the family which finally gave them some closure and even brought tears to the eyes of her father, James, who was his brother.
Source of information: André Koch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Massanelli Family Tree, Fold3 Contributor Karen Baker
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet