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Personal info

Full name
ROTARIUS, Joseph Anthony
Date of birth
27 March 1925
Age
20
Place of birth
unknown
Hometown
Center Line, Macomb County, Michigan

Military service

Service number
36855291
Rank
Private First Class
Function
unknown
Unit
I Company,
3rd Battalion,
18th Infantry Regiment,
1st Infantry Division
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

Death

Status
Finding of Death
Date of death
19 October 1945
Place of death
Haaren, North of Aachen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Margraten
Walls of the Missing

Immediate family

Members
Peter J. Rotarius (father)
Anna (Morian) Rotarius (mother)
Anna Rotarius (sister)
Anthony F. Rotarius (brother)
Mary Rotarius (sister)
Francis Rotarius (sister)
Peter Jr. Rotarius (brother)
Adolph Rotarius (brother)
Louis Rotarius (brother)
Josephine Rotarius (sister)
Sylvester Rotarius (brother)
Theresa Rotarius (sister)
Mark Rotarius (brother)

More information

On 18 October 1944, Pfc Rotarius failed to return from a mine planting mission north of Aachen, Germany. His comrades heard one mine explode. At deaybreak one body was seen but could not be reached due to enemy fire.

He was officially declared dead one day and one year after he was reported missing in action.

Source of information: Teri Champine, Census US 1930 / Fold3, ABMC, National Archives, Beatrice, Eleanor & Audrey, Sister-in-law & Nieces / WWII Memorial, Janise, Janise & Daniel, Niece, Nephew-in-law & Great Niece / WWII Memorial, CWGC - ABMC / Find A Grave

Photo source: Beatrice, Eleanor & Audrey, Sister-in-law & Nieces / WWII Memorial, Peter Schouteten