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name
CASELLA, Joseph Santo - Date of
birth
5 June 1922 -
Age
21 -
Place of birth
Italy -
Hometown
Rockville Centre, Nassau County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32532167 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Top Turret Gunner/Engineer -
Unit
327th Bombardment Squadron,
92nd Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 February 1944 - Place of
death
5 miles north of Vailly-sur-Aisne, France
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Epinal
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 5 | 49 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph Casella (father)
Frances Casella (mother)
Samuel Casella (brother)
Angelina Casella (sister)
Paul F. Casella (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
42-40032 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Frankfurt, Germany
Mission: Bombing of the city
MACR: 2363
More information
S/Sgt Joseph S. Casella worked in an aircraft factory before he enlisted in New York City, New York on 16 October 1942.1st Lt Dale W. Kinert:
No 1 engine hit and leaking oil badly, fire behind pilot’s compartment. I saw 3 other chutes opened. The plane completely in flames before crashing.
Casella failed to bail out before explosion of aircraft.
He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Champigneul, France.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1930 Census, www.fold3.com – MACR, www.findagrave.com – Russ Pickett
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Andy, www.newspapers.com – Newsday Nassau Edition - 29 November 1944