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Sgt Pete Cortese enlisted at Fort Hayes, Columbus on 16 March 1943.

He attended Elder Ridge High School in Elder Ridge, Pennsylvania. His family at some point left Pennsylvania and moved to Steubenville. Pete was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Steubenville. Before his enlistment he was employed at Maple Lane Coal Co. in Wintersville. He received his military training at Camp Butner, N.C. and Camp Pickett, VA. He went overseas on May 1, 1944.

Pete, a member of a Rifle Company, with other members of his organization, was participating in an attack on the town of Brandscheid, Germany, along the Siegfried Line. Enemy resistance was strong and Pete and his company were in battalion reserve in the attack. Advance against heavy enemy fire, including artillery and mortars, was slow. The enemy had all routes to the objective zeroed in. The battalion was finally forced to halt and Pete and his company deployed around the left flank to take Hill 1. It was during this action that Pete lost his life.

By dark of the 10th, both I and K had reached positions overlooking the Prum river and the town of Watzerrath. Company L moved to a reserve position behind them.

Sgt Pete Cortese was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Foy, Belgium Block F, Row 1, Grave 24.