DOB/DOD: November 6, 1918 (New York, NY) – April 18, 1945; 26 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Barbara Bogart (1924-2014) on October 31, 1942, in Norwalk. After Pvt Abruscato’s death, Barbara married his brother, Nicholas Abruscato, on February 22, 1947.
CHILDREN: One daughter Michele “Micky” (1944-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 12 Byington Place, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: May 6, 1944
SERVICE NUMBER: 31466669
UNIT: 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
FAMILY: Born to Giuseppe “Joseph” (1872-1953) and Giuseppa “Josephine” Bonadonna Abruscato (1880-1955), both born in Italy. Five brothers: Frank (1901-1980), Samuel (1904-1989), Nicholas (1910-1996), Joseph Jr. (1913-2002), and Charles (1915-2005). Three sisters, Matilda Abruscato Germano (1906-1983), Mary Abruscato De Pumpa (1907-1985), and Dorothy Abruscato Coppola (1921-2023).
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
OTHER: Same unit as Norwalk native Private Eugene Brown, who was killed in Italy during the invasion of Rome on May 29, 1944, and is interred in Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.



From The Norwalk Hour May 2, 1945
PVT ABRUSCATO KILLED IN ACTION
Byington Place Youth Was in Italy; Would Have Entered OCS School In 2 Weeks
Private Michael P. Abruscato, 26, husband of Mrs. Barbara Bogart Abruscato of 12 Byington Place, was killed in action in Italy on April 18, with official notice of his death having been received on Monday. Private Abruscato, in service since May 1944, trained at Camp Blanding, Florida, and went overseas in November, serving with the 64th Division. In civilian life, he was with the Remington Arms Company in Bridgeport. Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter Michele (Micky) nine-months-old, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Abruscato of 13 Donovan Street; five brothers: Nicholas, a discharged veteran of World War 2; Sergeant Charles in Germany; PFC Joseph Jr. in Luzon; Samuel and Frank of this city, and three sisters. Mrs. Dorothy Coppola, Mrs. Matilda Germano of this city, and Mrs. Mary DePumpa of Springdale. Private Abruscato wrote his wife on April 10 that in about two weeks, he was to enter an OCS (Officer Candidate School) in Italy.
Memorial marker in St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section B1. Photo by webmaster.

Private Abruscato is buried in Florence American Cemetery, Via Cassia, 50023 Tavarnuzze FI, Italy; Plot H, Row 5, Grave 27.

END

My mom Dorothy Abruscato Coppola is 99 1/2 years old and still talks about how much misses her brother Mikey. They were so close as children and his death in ww11 was something she never got over. I was named after my uncle Mike whom I never had the chance to meet.
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Thank you for sharing that story. I saw her at a Purple Heart event a week ago. I can’t imagine the pain of an unexpected loss like that.
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