April 27, 1910 (Norwalk, CT) – February 19, 1944; 33 years old, unmarried
Last local address: 190 Main Street, Norwalk
Enlisted on March 21, 1941
Serial Number: 31042357
106TH INFANTRY, COMPANY B
From the Norwalk Hour March 15, 1944
PFC Salvatore Louis Casalese, son of Mrs. Constantina Casalese of 190 Main Street, was killed in action on February 19 on Eniwetok Island, Marshall Group, according to a telegram received by his mother on Monday from Adjutant General Ulio. PFC Casalese was inducted into the Army on March 21, 1941 and he received his training in the infantry at the following caps: Camp Wheeler, GA, Camp Blanding, FL, Ragley, LA, Fort Jackson, SC, and at Camp Blanding again. On December 6, 1941, he was given an honorable discharge because he was over 28 years old at the time, but his discharge papers were taken back the next day, December 7, the date of the Japanese attack on Peral Harbor. Casalese was home on a five-day furlough in December, 1941. On his return to Camp Blanding he was transferred to San Francisco. Rest of article is illegible.
Letter to Salvatore’s mother:
27 April 1944
Mrs. Clara Casalese
190 Main Street
Norwalk, Connecticut
Dear Mrs. Casalese,
I regret to confirm the fact that your son Salvatore courageously gave his life during the assault on Eniwetok Island 19 February 1944.
Salvatore was an automatic rifleman and was a member of the assault platoon. His group was the spearhead of our advance and his weapon had accounted for a number of japs. The united to severe counter attack and it was largely due to the determined stand taken by Salvatore that the attack was unsuccessful. It was at this time that Salvatore was struck by a jap bullet and he went down still firing. He never knew what struck him and he never regained consciousness.
His courage, intelligence and character were in the best tradition of an American soldier. He had impressed us all with his friendliness and splendid character. He was held in highest respect by all of the officers and men of the company. You have our deepest sympathy in your bereavement and his loss is keenly felt by all of his many friends.
I wish to express my own personal sympathy in your loss. Please feel free to call upon me for any additional information you may desire. The Quartermaster General, Washington, D.C. is the best agency to help you in any matters concerning grave location, the disposition of remains and effects, or such related matters.
Yours sincerely,
Clarence W. Law
Captain, Infantry,
Commanding.
From The Norwalk Hour March 6, 1948
Funeral services for PFC Salvatore Casalese were held Friday morning from the Magner Funeral Home and in St. Mary’s Church at 9 o’clock. A solemn mass of requiem was celebrated by Rev James Laws, with Rev Joseph McCarthy as deacon and Rev John Karash, sub-deacon. Interment was in the family plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery where Father Laws conducted the committal service. The bearers were Andrew Barker, Chester Carnet, John Arene, Patrick Davey, and Archibald Merriam, representing the Frank C. Godfrey Post, American Legion, and Frank Glover representing the VFW. The firing squad from the Connecticut National Guard comprised of SSgt FA Coombs, Sgt CW Hoyt, T5 JE Ellis, PFC JA Uszuko and Pvts RP Roy, RS Dennis, JD Degaglia, Joseph Nice, Frank Roy and Joseph Breisler. Taps were sounded by bugler Pvt Donald Wright. The services were largely attended and there was a profusion of beautiful floral tributes.
Private Casalese was reinterred in 1948 to St. Mary’s Cemetery, Norwalk CT; Section D. Photos by webmaster.
This is fantastic Jeffrey. Salvatore “Ciri” Casalese was my great-uncle. My mother’s Uncle. We have some fantastic letters he wrote to his mother from the war. And I am very proud of Salvator and his service. I wish I could have known him in my lifetime. Thank you for the work you do.
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Thank you for the kind words. I may have been given a copy of those letters a year ago or so, but would really like to see them and digitize them for the future. Please e-mail me at jeffd1121@gmail.com so we can speak about it. Thanks again.
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