Technical Sergeant Carmelo Frank Vassallo, Army serial number 37404546, was born at Saint Louis, Missouri on July 22, 1922. He was one of at least ten children of Italian immigrants. His parents were Salvatore 'Sam' Vassallo (1 Jan 1873 – 5 Dec 1936), who was born at Palermo, Sicily, Italy; and Antoinena 'Nena' (Genovese) Vassallo (9 Jun 1882 – 20 Jan 1958) (name inscribed "NINA" on the family grave marker), who was born at Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Messina, Sicily, Italy. His parents married about 1903. His father Sam immigrated to America in 1904 (embarked on S.S. Aurania at Palermo, Italy on February 22, 1904; arrived at Port of New York on March 1, 1904; and joined his brother Carmelo Vassallo at 1119 North 9th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri). His mother Nena immigrated to America with his sister Catherine about 1905.
In 1920 the family lived at 1313 North 19th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri, and his father was a salesman of macaroni and other food products. His father's brother Carmelo lived at the same address. By 1925 the family lived at 4953 Terry Avenue in Saint Louis. His father died in 1936, and in 1940 the family lived at 4850 Farlin Avenue in Saint Louis. At the time of her death in 1958, his mother lived with his brother Angelo S. Vassallo at 3415 Humphrey Street in Saint Louis.
He completed one year of high school, and worked as a skilled mechanic and repairman for a railroad carshop, the American Car and Foundry Company in Madison, Illinois. He registered for the draft at Saint Louis, Missouri on June 30, 1942. He was five feet nine inches tall, weighed 132 pounds, and had brown eyes and black hair. He was single, without dependents, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on December 17, 1942.
He completed Army Air Forces radio operator and aerial gunnery training, and was assigned as radio operator on the heavy bomber crew of Lt James B. Squier in the 839th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. The Squier crew completed B-24 heavy bomber crew training with the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed with the Group to England in March 1944. They flew B-24H 42-52776 overseas from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. Here is the crew roster when they arrived in England:
839th Bomb Squadron – Crew #87-9-17
• 2/Lt James B. Squier – O752025 – Pilot
• 2/Lt Francis J. Adams – O815050 – Copilot
• F/O David Ruditz – T123999 – Navigator
• 2/Lt Gerald F. Weber – O695568 – Bombardier
• S/Sgt Charles E. Anderson – 35366252 – Engineer
• S/Sgt Carmelo F. Vassallo – 37404546 – Radio Operator
• S/Sgt James A. Strickler – 33505870 – Armorer/Gunner
• S/Sgt Robert W. Yankaskas – 31281285 – Gunner
• Sgt Frank L. Leone – 20115215 – Gunner
On August 1, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group began flying combat missions in the B-17 'Flying Fortress' heavy bomber. On August 5, 1944, Lt Squier's crew flew B-17G 43-37984 on the 487th Bomb Group mission to bomb the Junkers aircraft and engine factory at Magdeburg, Germany. T/Sgt Vassallo was killed in action when he was struck by flak from German antiaircraft fire over the target. The rest of his crew survived, and returned his body to their base near Lavenham.
T/Sgt Vassallo is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery in Plot F, Row 2, Grave 127. He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Some relatives:
His siblings were:
• Catherine Vassallo (abt 1904 – Sep 1980); born at Palermo, Italy; died at Saint Louis MO
• Infant Vassallo (abt 1906 – Jul 1906); born at Saint Louis MO
• Rose Vassallo (abt 1908 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pearl Vassallo (abt 1910 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• John J. Vassallo (24 Sep 1911 – 21 Oct 1950); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pauline (Vassallo) Guthrie (4 Oct 1913 – 19 Jan 1998); born at Saint Louis MO; buried at Arlington National Cemetery with husband William A. Guthrie (14 Mar 1909 – 3 Mar 1980) in Section 59, Site 2485
• Angelo S. Vassallo (abt 1916 – Apr 1995); born at Saint Louis MO; married Caroline F. (Basile) Vassallo (abt 1917 – Oct 2005), who was born at Naples, Italy; both are buried at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Saint Louis MO, Section 39A, Lot SLU
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925); born at Saint Louis MO; lived at 4953 Terry Ave, Saint Louis MO; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Saint Louis MO
• Mary Vassallo (abt 1927 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
His father's parents were John Vassallo and Katherine (Giammaco) Vassallo, who were born in Italy.
His mother's parents were Angelo Genovese and Concetta (Recupero) Genovese, who were born in Italy.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 487th Bomb Group Formation Diagram for 5 August 1944
3. 487th Bomb Group Mission Report for 5 August 1944
4. 1920 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 4; 1313 North 19th Street. Vassallo, Sam. 11 Jan 1920 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
5. 1930 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4953 Terry Avenue. Vassallo, Salatore [sic]. 10 Apr 1930 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
6. 1940 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4850 Farlin Avenue. Vassallo, Antoinera [sic]. 4 Apr 1940 (Antonina 'Nina' Vassallo, his mother)
7. American Battle Monuments Commission
8. Ancestry.com: Salvatore Vassallo (1873 – 1936) in Durst and Figliolo family trees
9. Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri. Catholic Cemeteries (Search burials for surname Vassallo.)
10. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
11. Enlistment Record of Carmelo F. Vassallo
12. Guthrie, Nena. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a niece, daughter of his sister Pauline)
13. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Herington, Kansas during the deployment to England)
14. Missouri Death Certificates, 1910 – 1964:
• Salvatore Vassallo (1 Jan 1873 – 5 Dec 1936) (his father)
• Nina Vassallo [sic] (9 Jun 1882 – 20 Jan 1958) (his mother)
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925) (a sister)
15. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820–1957: Salvatore Vassallo, age 31, embarked on S.S. Aurania at Palermo, Italy on February 22, 1904; arrived at Port of New York on March 1, 1904; and joined his brother, Carmelo Vassallo, at 1119 North 9th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri.
16. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
17. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947. Carmelo Frank Vassallo, age 19 years, born at Saint Louis City, Missouri, 22 Jul 1922; residence: 4016A Botanical, Saint Louis, Missouri; employment: American Car and Foundry Company, Madison, Illinois. Date of registration: 30 Jun 1942
18. Vassallo, Angelo J. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a nephew, son of his brother Angelo S. Vassallo)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
In 1920 the family lived at 1313 North 19th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri, and his father was a salesman of macaroni and other food products. His father's brother Carmelo lived at the same address. By 1925 the family lived at 4953 Terry Avenue in Saint Louis. His father died in 1936, and in 1940 the family lived at 4850 Farlin Avenue in Saint Louis. At the time of her death in 1958, his mother lived with his brother Angelo S. Vassallo at 3415 Humphrey Street in Saint Louis.
He completed one year of high school, and worked as a skilled mechanic and repairman for a railroad carshop, the American Car and Foundry Company in Madison, Illinois. He registered for the draft at Saint Louis, Missouri on June 30, 1942. He was five feet nine inches tall, weighed 132 pounds, and had brown eyes and black hair. He was single, without dependents, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on December 17, 1942.
He completed Army Air Forces radio operator and aerial gunnery training, and was assigned as radio operator on the heavy bomber crew of Lt James B. Squier in the 839th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. The Squier crew completed B-24 heavy bomber crew training with the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed with the Group to England in March 1944. They flew B-24H 42-52776 overseas from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. Here is the crew roster when they arrived in England:
839th Bomb Squadron – Crew #87-9-17
• 2/Lt James B. Squier – O752025 – Pilot
• 2/Lt Francis J. Adams – O815050 – Copilot
• F/O David Ruditz – T123999 – Navigator
• 2/Lt Gerald F. Weber – O695568 – Bombardier
• S/Sgt Charles E. Anderson – 35366252 – Engineer
• S/Sgt Carmelo F. Vassallo – 37404546 – Radio Operator
• S/Sgt James A. Strickler – 33505870 – Armorer/Gunner
• S/Sgt Robert W. Yankaskas – 31281285 – Gunner
• Sgt Frank L. Leone – 20115215 – Gunner
On August 1, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group began flying combat missions in the B-17 'Flying Fortress' heavy bomber. On August 5, 1944, Lt Squier's crew flew B-17G 43-37984 on the 487th Bomb Group mission to bomb the Junkers aircraft and engine factory at Magdeburg, Germany. T/Sgt Vassallo was killed in action when he was struck by flak from German antiaircraft fire over the target. The rest of his crew survived, and returned his body to their base near Lavenham.
T/Sgt Vassallo is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery in Plot F, Row 2, Grave 127. He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Some relatives:
His siblings were:
• Catherine Vassallo (abt 1904 – Sep 1980); born at Palermo, Italy; died at Saint Louis MO
• Infant Vassallo (abt 1906 – Jul 1906); born at Saint Louis MO
• Rose Vassallo (abt 1908 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pearl Vassallo (abt 1910 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• John J. Vassallo (24 Sep 1911 – 21 Oct 1950); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pauline (Vassallo) Guthrie (4 Oct 1913 – 19 Jan 1998); born at Saint Louis MO; buried at Arlington National Cemetery with husband William A. Guthrie (14 Mar 1909 – 3 Mar 1980) in Section 59, Site 2485
• Angelo S. Vassallo (abt 1916 – Apr 1995); born at Saint Louis MO; married Caroline F. (Basile) Vassallo (abt 1917 – Oct 2005), who was born at Naples, Italy; both are buried at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Saint Louis MO, Section 39A, Lot SLU
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925); born at Saint Louis MO; lived at 4953 Terry Ave, Saint Louis MO; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Saint Louis MO
• Mary Vassallo (abt 1927 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
His father's parents were John Vassallo and Katherine (Giammaco) Vassallo, who were born in Italy.
His mother's parents were Angelo Genovese and Concetta (Recupero) Genovese, who were born in Italy.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 487th Bomb Group Formation Diagram for 5 August 1944
3. 487th Bomb Group Mission Report for 5 August 1944
4. 1920 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 4; 1313 North 19th Street. Vassallo, Sam. 11 Jan 1920 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
5. 1930 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4953 Terry Avenue. Vassallo, Salatore [sic]. 10 Apr 1930 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
6. 1940 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4850 Farlin Avenue. Vassallo, Antoinera [sic]. 4 Apr 1940 (Antonina 'Nina' Vassallo, his mother)
7. American Battle Monuments Commission
8. Ancestry.com: Salvatore Vassallo (1873 – 1936) in Durst and Figliolo family trees
9. Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri. Catholic Cemeteries (Search burials for surname Vassallo.)
10. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
11. Enlistment Record of Carmelo F. Vassallo
12. Guthrie, Nena. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a niece, daughter of his sister Pauline)
13. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Herington, Kansas during the deployment to England)
14. Missouri Death Certificates, 1910 – 1964:
• Salvatore Vassallo (1 Jan 1873 – 5 Dec 1936) (his father)
• Nina Vassallo [sic] (9 Jun 1882 – 20 Jan 1958) (his mother)
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925) (a sister)
15. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820–1957: Salvatore Vassallo, age 31, embarked on S.S. Aurania at Palermo, Italy on February 22, 1904; arrived at Port of New York on March 1, 1904; and joined his brother, Carmelo Vassallo, at 1119 North 9th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri.
16. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
17. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947. Carmelo Frank Vassallo, age 19 years, born at Saint Louis City, Missouri, 22 Jul 1922; residence: 4016A Botanical, Saint Louis, Missouri; employment: American Car and Foundry Company, Madison, Illinois. Date of registration: 30 Jun 1942
18. Vassallo, Angelo J. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a nephew, son of his brother Angelo S. Vassallo)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
Technical Sergeant Carmelo Frank Vassallo, Army serial number 37404546, was born at Saint Louis, Missouri on July 22, 1922. He was one of at least ten children of Italian immigrants. His parents were Salvatore 'Sam' Vassallo (1 Jan 1873 – 5 Dec 1936), who was born at Palermo, Sicily, Italy; and Antoinena 'Nena' (Genovese) Vassallo (9 Jun 1882 – 20 Jan 1958) (name inscribed "NINA" on the family grave marker), who was born at Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Messina, Sicily, Italy. His parents married about 1903. His father Sam immigrated to America in 1904 (embarked on S.S. Aurania at Palermo, Italy on February 22, 1904; arrived at Port of New York on March 1, 1904; and joined his brother Carmelo Vassallo at 1119 North 9th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri). His mother Nena immigrated to America with his sister Catherine about 1905.
In 1920 the family lived at 1313 North 19th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri, and his father was a salesman of macaroni and other food products. His father's brother Carmelo lived at the same address. By 1925 the family lived at 4953 Terry Avenue in Saint Louis. His father died in 1936, and in 1940 the family lived at 4850 Farlin Avenue in Saint Louis. At the time of her death in 1958, his mother lived with his brother Angelo S. Vassallo at 3415 Humphrey Street in Saint Louis.
He completed one year of high school, and worked as a skilled mechanic and repairman for a railroad carshop, the American Car and Foundry Company in Madison, Illinois. He registered for the draft at Saint Louis, Missouri on June 30, 1942. He was five feet nine inches tall, weighed 132 pounds, and had brown eyes and black hair. He was single, without dependents, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on December 17, 1942.
He completed Army Air Forces radio operator and aerial gunnery training, and was assigned as radio operator on the heavy bomber crew of Lt James B. Squier in the 839th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. The Squier crew completed B-24 heavy bomber crew training with the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed with the Group to England in March 1944. They flew B-24H 42-52776 overseas from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. Here is the crew roster when they arrived in England:
839th Bomb Squadron – Crew #87-9-17
• 2/Lt James B. Squier – O752025 – Pilot
• 2/Lt Francis J. Adams – O815050 – Copilot
• F/O David Ruditz – T123999 – Navigator
• 2/Lt Gerald F. Weber – O695568 – Bombardier
• S/Sgt Charles E. Anderson – 35366252 – Engineer
• S/Sgt Carmelo F. Vassallo – 37404546 – Radio Operator
• S/Sgt James A. Strickler – 33505870 – Armorer/Gunner
• S/Sgt Robert W. Yankaskas – 31281285 – Gunner
• Sgt Frank L. Leone – 20115215 – Gunner
On August 1, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group began flying combat missions in the B-17 'Flying Fortress' heavy bomber. On August 5, 1944, Lt Squier's crew flew B-17G 43-37984 on the 487th Bomb Group mission to bomb the Junkers aircraft and engine factory at Magdeburg, Germany. T/Sgt Vassallo was killed in action when he was struck by flak from German antiaircraft fire over the target. The rest of his crew survived, and returned his body to their base near Lavenham.
T/Sgt Vassallo is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery in Plot F, Row 2, Grave 127. He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Some relatives:
His siblings were:
• Catherine Vassallo (abt 1904 – Sep 1980); born at Palermo, Italy; died at Saint Louis MO
• Infant Vassallo (abt 1906 – Jul 1906); born at Saint Louis MO
• Rose Vassallo (abt 1908 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pearl Vassallo (abt 1910 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• John J. Vassallo (24 Sep 1911 – 21 Oct 1950); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pauline (Vassallo) Guthrie (4 Oct 1913 – 19 Jan 1998); born at Saint Louis MO; buried at Arlington National Cemetery with husband William A. Guthrie (14 Mar 1909 – 3 Mar 1980) in Section 59, Site 2485
• Angelo S. Vassallo (abt 1916 – Apr 1995); born at Saint Louis MO; married Caroline F. (Basile) Vassallo (abt 1917 – Oct 2005), who was born at Naples, Italy; both are buried at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Saint Louis MO, Section 39A, Lot SLU
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925); born at Saint Louis MO; lived at 4953 Terry Ave, Saint Louis MO; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Saint Louis MO
• Mary Vassallo (abt 1927 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
His father's parents were John Vassallo and Katherine (Giammaco) Vassallo, who were born in Italy.
His mother's parents were Angelo Genovese and Concetta (Recupero) Genovese, who were born in Italy.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 487th Bomb Group Formation Diagram for 5 August 1944
3. 487th Bomb Group Mission Report for 5 August 1944
4. 1920 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 4; 1313 North 19th Street. Vassallo, Sam. 11 Jan 1920 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
5. 1930 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4953 Terry Avenue. Vassallo, Salatore [sic]. 10 Apr 1930 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
6. 1940 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4850 Farlin Avenue. Vassallo, Antoinera [sic]. 4 Apr 1940 (Antonina 'Nina' Vassallo, his mother)
7. American Battle Monuments Commission
8. Ancestry.com: Salvatore Vassallo (1873 – 1936) in Durst and Figliolo family trees
9. Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri. Catholic Cemeteries (Search burials for surname Vassallo.)
10. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
11. Enlistment Record of Carmelo F. Vassallo
12. Guthrie, Nena. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a niece, daughter of his sister Pauline)
13. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Herington, Kansas during the deployment to England)
14. Missouri Death Certificates, 1910 – 1964:
• Salvatore Vassallo (1 Jan 1873 – 5 Dec 1936) (his father)
• Nina Vassallo [sic] (9 Jun 1882 – 20 Jan 1958) (his mother)
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925) (a sister)
15. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820–1957: Salvatore Vassallo, age 31, embarked on S.S. Aurania at Palermo, Italy on February 22, 1904; arrived at Port of New York on March 1, 1904; and joined his brother, Carmelo Vassallo, at 1119 North 9th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri.
16. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
17. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947. Carmelo Frank Vassallo, age 19 years, born at Saint Louis City, Missouri, 22 Jul 1922; residence: 4016A Botanical, Saint Louis, Missouri; employment: American Car and Foundry Company, Madison, Illinois. Date of registration: 30 Jun 1942
18. Vassallo, Angelo J. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a nephew, son of his brother Angelo S. Vassallo)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
In 1920 the family lived at 1313 North 19th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri, and his father was a salesman of macaroni and other food products. His father's brother Carmelo lived at the same address. By 1925 the family lived at 4953 Terry Avenue in Saint Louis. His father died in 1936, and in 1940 the family lived at 4850 Farlin Avenue in Saint Louis. At the time of her death in 1958, his mother lived with his brother Angelo S. Vassallo at 3415 Humphrey Street in Saint Louis.
He completed one year of high school, and worked as a skilled mechanic and repairman for a railroad carshop, the American Car and Foundry Company in Madison, Illinois. He registered for the draft at Saint Louis, Missouri on June 30, 1942. He was five feet nine inches tall, weighed 132 pounds, and had brown eyes and black hair. He was single, without dependents, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on December 17, 1942.
He completed Army Air Forces radio operator and aerial gunnery training, and was assigned as radio operator on the heavy bomber crew of Lt James B. Squier in the 839th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group. The Squier crew completed B-24 heavy bomber crew training with the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico, and deployed with the Group to England in March 1944. They flew B-24H 42-52776 overseas from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Lavenham, England via the southern Atlantic ferry route—a journey of about 10,000 miles—and arrived in England by mid-April 1944. The 487th Bomb Group was based at Army Air Forces Station 137 near Lavenham, Suffolk, England, and was part of the 8th U.S. Army Air Force in Europe. Here is the crew roster when they arrived in England:
839th Bomb Squadron – Crew #87-9-17
• 2/Lt James B. Squier – O752025 – Pilot
• 2/Lt Francis J. Adams – O815050 – Copilot
• F/O David Ruditz – T123999 – Navigator
• 2/Lt Gerald F. Weber – O695568 – Bombardier
• S/Sgt Charles E. Anderson – 35366252 – Engineer
• S/Sgt Carmelo F. Vassallo – 37404546 – Radio Operator
• S/Sgt James A. Strickler – 33505870 – Armorer/Gunner
• S/Sgt Robert W. Yankaskas – 31281285 – Gunner
• Sgt Frank L. Leone – 20115215 – Gunner
On August 1, 1944, the 487th Bomb Group began flying combat missions in the B-17 'Flying Fortress' heavy bomber. On August 5, 1944, Lt Squier's crew flew B-17G 43-37984 on the 487th Bomb Group mission to bomb the Junkers aircraft and engine factory at Magdeburg, Germany. T/Sgt Vassallo was killed in action when he was struck by flak from German antiaircraft fire over the target. The rest of his crew survived, and returned his body to their base near Lavenham.
T/Sgt Vassallo is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery in Plot F, Row 2, Grave 127. He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
Some relatives:
His siblings were:
• Catherine Vassallo (abt 1904 – Sep 1980); born at Palermo, Italy; died at Saint Louis MO
• Infant Vassallo (abt 1906 – Jul 1906); born at Saint Louis MO
• Rose Vassallo (abt 1908 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pearl Vassallo (abt 1910 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
• John J. Vassallo (24 Sep 1911 – 21 Oct 1950); born at Saint Louis MO
• Pauline (Vassallo) Guthrie (4 Oct 1913 – 19 Jan 1998); born at Saint Louis MO; buried at Arlington National Cemetery with husband William A. Guthrie (14 Mar 1909 – 3 Mar 1980) in Section 59, Site 2485
• Angelo S. Vassallo (abt 1916 – Apr 1995); born at Saint Louis MO; married Caroline F. (Basile) Vassallo (abt 1917 – Oct 2005), who was born at Naples, Italy; both are buried at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Saint Louis MO, Section 39A, Lot SLU
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925); born at Saint Louis MO; lived at 4953 Terry Ave, Saint Louis MO; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Saint Louis MO
• Mary Vassallo (abt 1927 – unk); born at Saint Louis MO
His father's parents were John Vassallo and Katherine (Giammaco) Vassallo, who were born in Italy.
His mother's parents were Angelo Genovese and Concetta (Recupero) Genovese, who were born in Italy.
Sources:
1. 487th Bomb Group Association
2. 487th Bomb Group Formation Diagram for 5 August 1944
3. 487th Bomb Group Mission Report for 5 August 1944
4. 1920 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 4; 1313 North 19th Street. Vassallo, Sam. 11 Jan 1920 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
5. 1930 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4953 Terry Avenue. Vassallo, Salatore [sic]. 10 Apr 1930 (Salvatore Vassallo, his father)
6. 1940 US Census; Missouri; Saint Louis City; Ward 22; 4850 Farlin Avenue. Vassallo, Antoinera [sic]. 4 Apr 1940 (Antonina 'Nina' Vassallo, his mother)
7. American Battle Monuments Commission
8. Ancestry.com: Salvatore Vassallo (1873 – 1936) in Durst and Figliolo family trees
9. Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri. Catholic Cemeteries (Search burials for surname Vassallo.)
10. de Jong, Ivo. The History of the 487th Bomb Group (H). Paducah KY: Turner Publishing, Oct 2004
11. Enlistment Record of Carmelo F. Vassallo
12. Guthrie, Nena. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a niece, daughter of his sister Pauline)
13. HQ, 359th Combat Crew Training School, Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico. Special Orders Number 71. 11 March 1944 (487th Bomb Group flight echelon order to proceed from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Herington, Kansas during the deployment to England)
14. Missouri Death Certificates, 1910 – 1964:
• Salvatore Vassallo (1 Jan 1873 – 5 Dec 1936) (his father)
• Nina Vassallo [sic] (9 Jun 1882 – 20 Jan 1958) (his mother)
• Mary Vassallo (24 Apr 1921 – 22 Feb 1925) (a sister)
15. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820–1957: Salvatore Vassallo, age 31, embarked on S.S. Aurania at Palermo, Italy on February 22, 1904; arrived at Port of New York on March 1, 1904; and joined his brother, Carmelo Vassallo, at 1119 North 9th Street, Saint Louis, Missouri.
16. U.S. War Department. World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. Washington, D.C., June 1946
17. U.S. World War II Draft Cards, Young Men, 1940–1947. Carmelo Frank Vassallo, age 19 years, born at Saint Louis City, Missouri, 22 Jul 1922; residence: 4016A Botanical, Saint Louis, Missouri; employment: American Car and Foundry Company, Madison, Illinois. Date of registration: 30 Jun 1942
18. Vassallo, Angelo J. Personal communication about Vassallo family history. Apr 2019 (a nephew, son of his brother Angelo S. Vassallo)
Research by:
Paul Webber
Find A Grave member ID 47577572
Inscription
CARMELO F. VASSALLO
T SGT 839 BOMB SQ 487 BOMB GP (H)
MISSOURI AUG 5 1944
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Missouri.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
