Early 1944 Private Swanage, England December 1944 SSG Battle of the Bulge Butgenbach, Belgium December 1944 SSG Battle of the Bulge Butgenbach, Belgium Left – Tech Sergeant Bob Wright – KIA soon after photo was taken Right – Rocco Moretto Rocco Moretto, Center Late March – Early April 1945 SSG With his Squad Harz Mountains, Germany Upper Left – SSG Rocco Moretto Center – PFC Bennie Zuskin Upper Right – PFC Hall Bottom Left – Joe Amuso Bottom Right – Vincent Marcello World War II veterans Rocco Moretto (left) and Benny Zuskin (right) were the only two survivors from their 991-man infantry company. The above picture was taken just after the war ended in Groslitz, Czechoslovakia on VE-Day in May 7, 1945.
Staff Sgt. Rocco Moretto (right) with Tech Sgt. Bob Wright (later killed in action) at Bütgenbach, Belgium in December 1944. Robert F. Dorr Collection photo
Dear Sir,
My father Marshall Leven was a sergeant in co C 26th inf and was a 631 intelligence nco in graslitz probably at the end of the war, he separated Jan 1946. Did you know him? Please share anything.
Hello Mr. Leven. Rocco doesn’t recall that name. Do you know when your father came to C company? Rocco and C company left Graslitz after May 8, 1945 and headed to Nuremburg after that.
Thanks for responding, sorry I don’t know any dates. His service records except separation info were destroyed in the St Louis records depository fire in the 1970’s. However, I came across a charcoal or pencil portrait of him dated Nuremburg 1945. His highest rank was sergeant, he was awarded a Bronze Star, was coded as an intelligence NCO (1945?) at the end of service, and was Jewish. His initial service was in San Diego with a balloon barrage company then somehow ended up in Czech. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
Sure, I will see if I can find anything out for you. If you would like to send me the picture of him from Nuremburg it might be helpful too. I have some contacts in Kraslice (formerly Graslitz) so maybe they can help.
Hello, I know it’s been 1 year since I first contacted you. I could still use some help. May I send a scan of pictures from Graslitz from my father? He was there from May or June 1945 til the end of the year I’m pretty sure. please respond with your email address for the scan
Dear friend,
We know Rocky for almost 25 years since he came at our place to dedicate the Remember Museum 39-45 located at Thimister-Clermont, in Belgium!
He is really a very special person and one of the men of the Greatest Generation. We owe so much to all these men and their pictures are forever in the frames of “then and now” in the museum.
Would you be so nice to forward our love and our gratefulness to our dear friend Rocky?
Thank you so much.
Hello Marcel,
Thank you for your kind words, it’s wonderful to hear from you. Rocco talks about you, Mathilde and your wonderful museum often. I am his granddaughter and he told me all about your museum and the statue of him – I would love to see it one day! I will certainly pass along your message. Rocco also has an email address, I can send it to you if you would like.
Best,
Jill
Dear Jill,
My father in law served with your grandfather and remembers him well. They have been corresponding for years through Christmas cards. He did not receive one this year and had not heard anything from him. Could you please update me on his status? Maybe he has moved? Thank you.
Delano Blackstone,
Thomas Blackstone is my father in law
Dear Sir,
My grandfather Edmund J Bouillon served in the same company you did from Jan of 1945 until is discharge in June of 1946. He was wounded in action in April of 45. He went by the name of Jim, I was wondering if you can recall any memory of him?
Hello, thanks for reaching out. Do you happen to know where your grandfather was stationed during that time? Or where he was wounded in action? My grandfather doesn’t recall the name but you never know.
JMO,
Thank you so much for responding. My grandfather joined company c, 26th infantry regiment in January of 1945. I believe he was in the attack at Butgenbach and was with the unit for the remainder of the war. He was shot on April 16, 1945 in the Harz mountains. He eventually returned to the unit to help guard the Nazis during the Nurenburg War trials. He rarely talked about his experiences overseas, so my family has limited information. Bits here and there and his service record are about it. He did keep in touch with a James Woods, who went by the first name of Jim, I have records indicating that Mr. Woods was a sergant. My family lost contact with Jim Woods shortly before my grandfather passed away in 1983.