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Personal info

Full name
CROVELLO, Cosmo R Jr
Date of birth
1915
Age
unknown
Place of birth
Queens, Queens County, New York
Hometown
Queens, Queens County, New York

Military service

Service number
32014945
Rank
First Sergeant
Function
unknown
Unit
L Company,
3rd Battalion,
60th Infantry Regiment,
9th Infantry Division
Awards
Bronze Star with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters,
Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Death

Status
Killed in Action
Date of death
17 October 1944
Place of death
Aachen, Germany

Grave

Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
Plot Row Grave
C 5 11

Immediate family

Members
Cosmo Crovello (father)
Julia Crovello (mother)
Eugene Crovello (brother)
William Crovello (brother)
Eveline Crovello (sister)
Anna Crovello (sister)
Joseph Crovello (brother)
Mary Crovello (sister)
Rose Crovello (sister)

More information

1st Sgt Crovello's parents emigrated from Italy in the late 1800's.

He graduated from Public School 39 and Far Rockaway High School.

He enlisted in January 1941.

In England, he became engaged with an English girl, named Evely Barnicoat.

He was a veteran of the North Africa and Sicily campaign and also fought with his unit in France and Belgium.

He was wounded in North Africa on 11 March and 2 May 1943 for which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal twice.

The citations for his Bronze Star Medal state:
"On 23 March 1943 in Tunisia, Sgt Crovello with two other men took up a machinegun to cover the withdrawal of their company. During the progress of the withdrawal, the enemy knocked out their machinegun, also wounding Sgt Crovello's two assistants. He and his two man were able to use rifle fire on the enemy and hold them off unitl the safe withdrawal of his company was accomplished."

"For distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy during the period of 8 November 1942 to 15 August 1943 in the North African Theater of Operations. 1st Sgt Crovello displayed exemplary performance after the 60th Infantry Regiment landed at Mehdia and attempted to take Port-Lyautey airfield which led to the collapse of French opposition. The Old Reliables then went into Sicily and took part in the offensive toward Medina before moving into England to prepare for the invasion of France."

"For exceptionally meritious achievement on 24 May 1944. 1st Sgt Crovello portrayed exemplary performance in active ground combat against an armed enemy of the United States as the 60th Infantry Regiment arrived in Palermo, assembled at Nicosia and began the drive on Randazoo before taking part in the offensive toward Messina. 1st Sgt Crovello's dauntless efforts and unwavering courage are traits to emulate."

"For distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy during the period of 16 August 1943 and 27 July 1944 in the North African and European Theaters of Operations. Throughout this entire period, Sgt Crovello performed his assigned duties in an outstanding and exceptionally meritious manner. Althought frequently esposed to intense enemy fire, he consistently displayd aggresive leadership, initiative, devotion to duty and a capacity for long hours and hard work."

His brother Joseph also served in the war.

Source of information: Raf Dyckmans, James Phelan, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.ancestry.com, Long Island Daily Press of 9 January 1945.

Photo source: FOHF, Daily News - 13 January 1945