September 12, 1919 (Norwalk, CT) – February 8, 1945; 25 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 27 Cross Street, Norwalk
Service number: 20132967
Unit: 11th Airborne Division, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Born to Prospero (1882-1953) and Valentine Cantarella D’Avanzo (1892-1955); both born in Italy. Eight brothers Joseph (1913-1993), Louis (1915-1980), Nicholas (1921-1944), Alfred “Frederick” (1922-1989), Victor (1924-2002), Rudolph (1926-2009), Roland (1928-2011), and Albert (1932-). Four sisters, Jeanette D’Avanzo Sala (1914-2011), Nancy D’Avanzo Maruca (1916-1997), Helen D’Avanzo Beebe (1918-1961), and Gloria D’Avanzo Holomakoff (1933-).
From The Norwalk Hour March 12 & 14, 1945
TSgt Sylvio V. D’Avanzo, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. Prospero D’Avanzo, 179 Flax Hill Road, died of wounds received on February 8 in battle at Luzon. He is the second of the D’Avanzo boys to die in action. His brother, Prospero D’Avanzo, 23, was killed in action days after D-Day. He (Prospero) was formerly with the Marines and then transferred to a medical unit in the U.S. Army. TSgt D’Avanzo had been in the Army for four years. He left this city with the 102nd Field Artillery when the National Guards were called into service. From the artillery, he was transferred to a Tank Destroyer unit and finally to the Paratroopers in which branch of the service when received his wounds which resulted in his death. Mr. and Mrs. D’Avanzo, at one time, had seven of their sons serving in the Army. In addition to the two who made the supreme sacrifice, still in the service are Corporal Victor D’Avanzo who is in Italy with the K-9; Private Rudolph D’Avanzo who is with the 6th Marine Division in the South Pacific; and Alfred D’Avanzo who was in the Maritime service. Sergeant Louis D’Avanzo and Corporal Joseph D’Avanzo have received medical discharges. Another son Robert, who is a High School student, has made arrangements to take his physical examination for admittance into the United States Marine Corps. TSgt D’Avanzo was last home on furlough in October 1944. In civilian life, he was employed at the Edwards Company.
Buried at Manila American Cemetery, 1634 McKinley Rd, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines; Plot H, Row 11, Grave 109. Photo provided by Maria Raquel M. Vallamil, Cemetery Associate, Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines via e-mail on October 11, 2019.
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