The Au Sable Forks, New York community was saddened Monday, April 10, 1944, by news of the death of Lt. Rocco Changelo of the U. S. Army Air Corps who was killed in action in Italy on March 23rd, 1944. The telegram sent to his mother Mrs. Irene Changelo by the War Department read as follows:
"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son 2nd Lieutenant Rocco L. Changelo was killed in action in defense of his country on 23 March in Italy. Letter follows.
SUNLOP, Acting the Adjutant General."
Lt. Changelo was born in Au Sable Forks village on February 13, 1918, where he received his early education and was graduated from Au Sable Forks high school in June, 1936. The following November he enlisted. He was sent to Mitchell Field, Long Island, taking the motor mechanic course, and from there he was transferred to Chanute Field, Illinois, where he studied radio operation and upon completion of that course he was sent to the Canal Zone, Panama.
In 1938 after winning his commission, he served as radio operator on a B-17 and during the next few years he served in various capacities aboard Army Air Corp planes, the B-24 Liberator in particular, making flights to Central and South America and to all parts of the United States. He was a born flyer, expert meteorologist, navigator, bombardier and gunner. Rocco was a veteran of the skyways at 25 with many thousands of flying hours to his credit. At one time he was an instructor of radio in Panama. He was the first resident of the town of Jay, New York to lose his life in World War II.
Local sports fans recall his prowess as a basketball and baseball player while attending the local high school. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a quiet unassuming young man with many fine qualities. He was popular with young and old.
Shortly after his arrival at his heavy bomber base in Italy, Rocco went to see an uncle of his and discovered that he was heir to a house and a 40-acre farm in Italy. Several months ago he had a dream about the place. So when he arrived there he was surprised to see that the farmhouse was exactly what he had dreamed about it.
Rocco married Miss Suzette Lavo of Houston, Texas, on October 19, 1943. Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by three brothers; Vedo of Au Sable Forks, Cpl. Michael Changelo, Coast Artillery, Panama Canal Zone; Pvt. Anthony Changelo, U. S. Army Air Corps, Shreveport, Louisiana, and a niece, Nancy Changelo of Au Sable Forks. The entire community mourned the loss of Rocco Changelo, first commissioned officer of the village to give his life in the defense of his country.
"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son 2nd Lieutenant Rocco L. Changelo was killed in action in defense of his country on 23 March in Italy. Letter follows.
SUNLOP, Acting the Adjutant General."
Lt. Changelo was born in Au Sable Forks village on February 13, 1918, where he received his early education and was graduated from Au Sable Forks high school in June, 1936. The following November he enlisted. He was sent to Mitchell Field, Long Island, taking the motor mechanic course, and from there he was transferred to Chanute Field, Illinois, where he studied radio operation and upon completion of that course he was sent to the Canal Zone, Panama.
In 1938 after winning his commission, he served as radio operator on a B-17 and during the next few years he served in various capacities aboard Army Air Corp planes, the B-24 Liberator in particular, making flights to Central and South America and to all parts of the United States. He was a born flyer, expert meteorologist, navigator, bombardier and gunner. Rocco was a veteran of the skyways at 25 with many thousands of flying hours to his credit. At one time he was an instructor of radio in Panama. He was the first resident of the town of Jay, New York to lose his life in World War II.
Local sports fans recall his prowess as a basketball and baseball player while attending the local high school. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a quiet unassuming young man with many fine qualities. He was popular with young and old.
Shortly after his arrival at his heavy bomber base in Italy, Rocco went to see an uncle of his and discovered that he was heir to a house and a 40-acre farm in Italy. Several months ago he had a dream about the place. So when he arrived there he was surprised to see that the farmhouse was exactly what he had dreamed about it.
Rocco married Miss Suzette Lavo of Houston, Texas, on October 19, 1943. Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by three brothers; Vedo of Au Sable Forks, Cpl. Michael Changelo, Coast Artillery, Panama Canal Zone; Pvt. Anthony Changelo, U. S. Army Air Corps, Shreveport, Louisiana, and a niece, Nancy Changelo of Au Sable Forks. The entire community mourned the loss of Rocco Changelo, first commissioned officer of the village to give his life in the defense of his country.
The Au Sable Forks, New York community was saddened Monday, April 10, 1944, by news of the death of Lt. Rocco Changelo of the U. S. Army Air Corps who was killed in action in Italy on March 23rd, 1944. The telegram sent to his mother Mrs. Irene Changelo by the War Department read as follows:
"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son 2nd Lieutenant Rocco L. Changelo was killed in action in defense of his country on 23 March in Italy. Letter follows.
SUNLOP, Acting the Adjutant General."
Lt. Changelo was born in Au Sable Forks village on February 13, 1918, where he received his early education and was graduated from Au Sable Forks high school in June, 1936. The following November he enlisted. He was sent to Mitchell Field, Long Island, taking the motor mechanic course, and from there he was transferred to Chanute Field, Illinois, where he studied radio operation and upon completion of that course he was sent to the Canal Zone, Panama.
In 1938 after winning his commission, he served as radio operator on a B-17 and during the next few years he served in various capacities aboard Army Air Corp planes, the B-24 Liberator in particular, making flights to Central and South America and to all parts of the United States. He was a born flyer, expert meteorologist, navigator, bombardier and gunner. Rocco was a veteran of the skyways at 25 with many thousands of flying hours to his credit. At one time he was an instructor of radio in Panama. He was the first resident of the town of Jay, New York to lose his life in World War II.
Local sports fans recall his prowess as a basketball and baseball player while attending the local high school. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a quiet unassuming young man with many fine qualities. He was popular with young and old.
Shortly after his arrival at his heavy bomber base in Italy, Rocco went to see an uncle of his and discovered that he was heir to a house and a 40-acre farm in Italy. Several months ago he had a dream about the place. So when he arrived there he was surprised to see that the farmhouse was exactly what he had dreamed about it.
Rocco married Miss Suzette Lavo of Houston, Texas, on October 19, 1943. Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by three brothers; Vedo of Au Sable Forks, Cpl. Michael Changelo, Coast Artillery, Panama Canal Zone; Pvt. Anthony Changelo, U. S. Army Air Corps, Shreveport, Louisiana, and a niece, Nancy Changelo of Au Sable Forks. The entire community mourned the loss of Rocco Changelo, first commissioned officer of the village to give his life in the defense of his country.
"The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son 2nd Lieutenant Rocco L. Changelo was killed in action in defense of his country on 23 March in Italy. Letter follows.
SUNLOP, Acting the Adjutant General."
Lt. Changelo was born in Au Sable Forks village on February 13, 1918, where he received his early education and was graduated from Au Sable Forks high school in June, 1936. The following November he enlisted. He was sent to Mitchell Field, Long Island, taking the motor mechanic course, and from there he was transferred to Chanute Field, Illinois, where he studied radio operation and upon completion of that course he was sent to the Canal Zone, Panama.
In 1938 after winning his commission, he served as radio operator on a B-17 and during the next few years he served in various capacities aboard Army Air Corp planes, the B-24 Liberator in particular, making flights to Central and South America and to all parts of the United States. He was a born flyer, expert meteorologist, navigator, bombardier and gunner. Rocco was a veteran of the skyways at 25 with many thousands of flying hours to his credit. At one time he was an instructor of radio in Panama. He was the first resident of the town of Jay, New York to lose his life in World War II.
Local sports fans recall his prowess as a basketball and baseball player while attending the local high school. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a quiet unassuming young man with many fine qualities. He was popular with young and old.
Shortly after his arrival at his heavy bomber base in Italy, Rocco went to see an uncle of his and discovered that he was heir to a house and a 40-acre farm in Italy. Several months ago he had a dream about the place. So when he arrived there he was surprised to see that the farmhouse was exactly what he had dreamed about it.
Rocco married Miss Suzette Lavo of Houston, Texas, on October 19, 1943. Besides his wife and mother, he is survived by three brothers; Vedo of Au Sable Forks, Cpl. Michael Changelo, Coast Artillery, Panama Canal Zone; Pvt. Anthony Changelo, U. S. Army Air Corps, Shreveport, Louisiana, and a niece, Nancy Changelo of Au Sable Forks. The entire community mourned the loss of Rocco Changelo, first commissioned officer of the village to give his life in the defense of his country.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from New York.
Family Members
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