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name
MASCETTE, Leonard Joseph - Date of
birth
6 November 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Solvay, Onandaga County, New York -
Hometown
Solvay, Onondaga County, New York
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
32253945 -
Rank
Technician Fourth Grade -
Function
Radio Operator -
Unit
112th Infantry Regiment,
28th Infantry Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 November 1944 - Place of
death
In the vicinity of Kommerscheidt, Germany
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| G | 8 | 37 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Joseph Mascette (father)
Mary Mascette (mother)
Rosie Mascette (sister)
Vincent Mascette (brother)
Paul Mascette (brother)
Mike Mascette (brother)
Dolores Mascette (sister)
More information
T/4 Leonard J. Mascette enlisted in Fort Niagara, Youngstown, New York on 17 March 1942.“”
He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action against the enemy in France on 11 August 1944.
Mascette was at a forward observation point with his commander when the officer left to lead one of his companies in an advance upon the enemy positions. In the advance, the battalion commander was seriously wounded.
Suddenly the enemy launched a counterattack toward Mascette’s position. Alone, he ignored the mortar and artillery shells that were bursting near him and, acting as battalion commander, he directed the two remaining companies into position to meet the attack. As a result of his refusal to withdraw from his position even though the enemy was at one time less than 75 yards away, Mascette’s battalion was able to repulse the attack and then make a successful advance.
His brothers Paul, Vincent and Michael also served during WWII.
Source of information: André Koch, Carla Mans, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - 1930/1940 Census / Headstone and Interment Record / U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, Syracuse Herald-Journal - 27 December 1944
Photo source: www.findagrave.com - Des Philippet