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Personal info

Full name
PIRAINO, Anthony T
Date of birth
15 January 1920
Age
24
Place of birth
Lost Springs, Converse County, Wyoming
Hometown
Milwaukee County, Wyoming

Military service

Service number
36433970
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Function
Radio Operator
Unit
95th Squadron,
440th Troop Carrier Group
Awards
Purple Heart,
Air Medal

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
27 December 1944
Place of death
2 miles north of Bastogne, Belgium

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
Plot Row Grave
A 1 15

Immediate family

Members
Gaetano Piraino Sr. (father)
Rose M. (Falk) Piraino (mother)
Guy Piraino Jr. (Brother)
Vince Piraino (brother)
Josephine P. Piraino (sister)
Geraldine M. Piraino (sister)
Joe Piraino (brother)
Rose Piraino (sister)
Mary A. Piraino (sister)
Minnie Piraino (sister)
Frank Piraino (brother)
Irene A. (Klimek) Piraino (wife)
Dennis A. Piraino (son)

Plane data

Serial number
42-100904
Data
Type: C-47A-75-DL
Destination: Bastogne, Belgium
Mission: DZ-D Glider Tow
MACR: 11318

More information

S/Sgt Anthony T. Piraino attended LaSalle-Peru High School and college.

He enlisted in Peoria, Illinois on 29 October 1942.

1st Lt Harvey L. Rideout:
I the undersigned while flying in formation in an element of eight airplanes and gliders at about 2500 feet, saw the airplane which was being flown by Captain Ilton C. Smith, burst into flame and suddenly nose downward. The glider which he was towing immediately cut loose. I did not see the airplane crash, but believe it did, as it was close to the ground when I last saw it.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Grand Failly, France.

His brother, Sgt Joseph Piraino, was killed 26 March 1945 and is buried next to him.

Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Rathbun Family Tree / 1940 Census, www.fold3.com

Photo
source:
www.findagrave.com - Luxembourg American Cemetery, LaSalle-Peru High School - 1937, 1938