T/Sgt. Anthony Charles Pusateri in Maywood, Illinois, on March 13, 1922, to Lawrence Pusateri and Josephine Romano-Pusateri, and had two sisters and a brother. The family resided at 1416 North 16th Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois. He graduated from Sacred Heart School, Melrose Park, and attended Proviso Township High School for one year. He left school and worked at his father’s grocery store.
On June 22, 1942, he registered with Selective Service and named his father as his contact person. He was inducted into the US Army on September 25, 1942, and was issued the serial number 36 376 606. No information has been found on where he did his basic training. What is known was he was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. The entire division went overseas in September 1943 and trained in Wales.
The division did not take part in the D-Day, but landed in France in Normandy on July 22, 1944. After landing, The 112th plowed through France and Germany, participating in the capture of Paris and the bitter fighting in the Huertgen Forest. At one point, after the fight for Kommerscheidt, the regiment was reduced to 300 men. During December 1944, the 112th was holding a 6-1/2-mile long sector which the Germans attacked with nine divisions which was the start of the Ardennes Offensive – better known as the Battle of the Bulge – by the German Army. On the 20th, 112th defended St. Vith along with 106th. The entire division managed to hold the Germans up for three days which allowed Allied Command time to send reinforcements. For all practical purposes the division was wiped out. On January 16, 1945, the 28th Infantry was attached to the 7th Army. On March 6th, the division launched offensive at Olef River drove Germans back Ahr River. It was also at this time that Anthony was promoted to technical sergeant. In April, the division occupied area north of Aachen, Germany
After Germany surrendered, he remained in Germany. At some point, he received his orders to return home. Exactly what happened is not known, but he was involved in a truck accident while on the way to the port of embarkation to leave for home and ruptured his spleen. He died from his injuries on July 6, 1945. Records show he was buried that same day in the United Stated Military Cemetry #1 Champigneul, Marne, France. It is not known when his parents were informed of his death. It is known that as early as August 22, 1945, his family was contacting the Office of the Quartermaster General about bringing him home for burial. They received a response from the Quartermaster Corps, in a letter dated October 3, 1945, that since Japan had surrendered the process of returning the dead home would be started and they would be notified by letter.
In a letter dated September 26, 1946, the OQMG told Anthiny’s father where he was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. He was also told that another letter would arrive providing him with the information on his options for his son’s final burial. Eight months passed when another letter arrived dated June 5, 1947, that provided them with their options for Anthony’s final burial. His father was asked to fill-out and return to the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, an enclosed form indicating where he wanted Anthony buried. The completed form was received by the OQMG on September 3rd, indicating his parents wanted Anthony returned to Illinois for burial.
On February 9, 1948, exhumed from the United States Military Cemetery, Champigneul, France, and sent by train to the American Graves Registration Service Port Unit, Antwerp, Belgium. His remains were casketed and placed on the USAT Lawrence Victory on September 16, 1948. The ship sailed the same day and arrived in the New York Port of Entry on October 6, 1948. His casket remained at the port until October 14th, when it was sent by train, with a military escort, to the QMC’s Distribution Center #8, Chicago, and arrived there on October 18th. In a military hears, on October 29th Anthony’s casket was taken to Borman Funeral Home, Melrose Park. T/Sgt. Anthony C. Pusateri was buried in Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois, on October 30, 1948.
