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name
ZUCCARELLA, Rocco Michael - Date of
birth
1 May 1916 -
Age
28 - Place of
birth
Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York -
Hometown
Manhattan, New York County, New York City, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
42059001 -
Rank
Staff Sergeant -
Function
Squad Leader -
Unit
A Company,
49th Armored Infantry Battalion,
8th Armored Division,
1st Platoon
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 April 1945 - Place of
death
Werl-Soest, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| K | 5 | 3 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Rocco A. Zuccarella (father)
Catarina (Cutinello) Zuccarella (mother)
Madeline (Merit) Zuccarella (sister)
William Zuccarella (brother)
Gloria C. (Guiterrez) Zuccarella (wife)
Gloria Zuccarella (daughter)
More information
S/Sgt Rocco M. Zuccarella enlisted in New York City, New York on 9 December 1943.He was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation cited: For gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Company A, 49th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 5 March 1945. Under intense enemy fire, Sgt (then Pvt) Zuccarella covered members of his platoon with machine gun fire while they took cover. He then advanced 800 yards under machine gun, artillery, mortar, and small arms fire to lead twelve men to safety. Sgt Zuccarella's actions reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
One photo shows his daughter, Gloria Zuccarella Layne, at her first visit to her father's grave in Margraten. She was only two years old when he enlisted.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Gloria Zuccarella Borell Layne (daughter), www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / 1920/1940 Census / New York / WWII Enlistment Records / 8th Armored Division "Thundering Herd" Unit History / Layne & Bauer/Douglas Family Trees / U. S. WWII Draft Cards for Young Men, http://www.awon.org, www.8th-armored.org, www.findagrave.com, Book: Lost in Victory - Reflections of American War Orphans of World War 2, Fold 3 - 1946 WWII Casualty Report
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Gloria Zuccarella Borell Layne / Book: Lost in the Victory - Reflections of American War Orphans of World War 2