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name
FORTUNA, Michael J - Date of
birth
22 July 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Lucas County, Ohio -
Hometown
Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
6987455 -
Rank
Private -
Function
unknown -
Unit
385th Infantry Regiment,
76th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Distinguished Service Cross,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
21 February 1945 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Menningen, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| B | 9 | 17 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Michael Fortuna (father)
Margaret (Senko) Fortuna (mother)
William Fortuna (brother)
Margaret Fortuna (sister)
John Fortuna (brother)
Olga Fortuna (sister)
More information
PVT Michael J. Fortuna had a post-graduate degree and was a motion picture projectionist before he joined the Regular Army on 6 November 1939.He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Medal posthumously. The citation states:
"On 21 February 1945 near Menningen, Germany, Pvt Fortuna constantly exposed himself to intense enemy fire as he carried water, ammunition, and messages to the forward elements of his unit. While attempting to deliver an important message to his Company Commander he was fatally wounded by artillery fire but courageously crawled forward and relayed the message to a comrade before he died of his wounds."
Source of information: André Koch, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census / Headstone and Interment Record
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - LuxAmCem, www.ancestry.com - U.S. School Yearbooks 1900-1990, Ohio, Toledo Central Catholic High School 1939