T/5 Frank Edward Ruffolo was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on September 23, 1919, to Matteo Ruffalo and Josephine Gentile-Ruffalo and had a sister. His family moved to Maywood, Illinois, where they resided at 170 South Sixth Avenue and his father worked at Veterans Administration’s Hines Hospital, Hines, Illinois. Frank attended Washington School, Garfield School, and graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1939. After high school, he went to Lewis Institute, Chicago, Illinois, which trained engineers.
When the Selective Service Act became law on October 16, 1940, Frank registered for the draft and named his mother as his contact person. He was inducted into the US Army on June 21, 1941, and received the serial number 36 039 073. He did his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he trained as a tank driver. It is also known that he was stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana. Since he had received specialized training, on June 1, 1942, his rank was change from private to Technician Fifth Grade and would have been called corporal. But men holding a technician rating had no authority to command troops. At some point, he became a member of HQ Company, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. His division fought in North Africa, fought in Italy, and fought in France.
During the Battle of the Bulge, (December 18, 1944 to January 25, 1944) he was credited with capturing three German soldiers. It was reported that on January 8, 1945, Frank was hit by enemy fire and taken to the 3rd Battalion Aid Station, where his left leg amputated. He was reported to have died at about 5:00 pm, that date. On January 10, 1945, he was buried in the United States Military Cemetery #1, Henri Chapelle, France, in Plot YY, Row 4, Grave 75. Records show that the Office of Adjutant General, Washington DC, received the report of Frank’s death on January 30, 1945. His parents were sent a telegram.
MATTEO RUFFOLO
1707 SOUTH 6TH AVENUE MAYWOOD IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR SON TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE FRANK E RUFFOLO WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON EIGHT JANUARY IN BELGIUM LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTENT GENERAL
A confirmation letter followed the telegram.
His father, who was his legal next of kin, received a letter, dated June 25, 1946, telling him where Frank was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery.
25 June 1946
Mr. Matteo Ruffolo
1707 South 6th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Ruffolo:
The War Department is most desirous that you be furnished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Technician Fifth Grade Frank E. Ruffolo, A.S.N. 36 039 073.
The records of this office disclose that his remains are interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery, Henri-Chappelle, Belgium, plot YYY, row 4, grave 75. You may be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with dignity and solemnity.
This cemetery is located approximately seven miles northwest of Eupen, and eight miles east of Liege, both in Belgium, and is under the constant care and supervision of the United States military personnel.
The War Department has now been authorized to comply, at Government expense, with the feasible wishes of the next of kin regarding final interment, here or abroad, of the remains of your loved one. At a later date, this office will, without any action on your part, provide the next of kin with full information and solicit his detailed desires.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
T. B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
On March 4, 1947, by the Office of the Quartermaster General, asking him to fill-out and return an enclosed form indicating where he wanted Frank to be buried. The completed form was received by the OQMG on April 28, 1947, and indicated that Frank should be buried at an American Military Cemetery overseas.
Another letter, dated September 30, 1948, was sent to his father telling that his wishes had been fulfilled and that Tec 5 Frank E. Ruffalo was buried in an American Military Cemetery. He also received the flag that covered Frank’s casket.
Tec. 5 Frank E. Ruffolo, ASN 36 039 073
Plot D, Row 14, Grave 26
Mr. Matteo Ruffolo Headstone: Cross
1707 South 6th Avenue Henri-Chapelle U. S. Military Cemetery
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mr. Ruffolo:
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved one have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, the central address of which is 1712 "G" Street, N. W. Washington 25, D. C.
While interment and beautification activities are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. However, upon completion thereof, due notice will be carried by the press.
You may rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the graves-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
THOMAS B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
